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Source: FOX News
Summary
Former U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema can be sued under North Carolina’s “homewrecker” law after a federal judge ruled the state has jurisdiction over allegations she broke up a marriage by having an affair with a woman’s then-husband. Sinema admitted to a sexual relationship with Matthew Ammel, a member of her security detail, but argued she had no connection to North Carolina. The judge rejected this, citing messages Sinema sent to Ammel while he was in the state. Heather Ammel, the wife, is seeking damages for alleged interference with her marriage. North Carolina allows alienation-of-affection claims, which let spouses sue third parties for breaking up their marriage.
Our Reading
As expected, the matter has reached another stage.
Sinema admitted to sex with a bodyguard.
Judge found messages enough to proceed.
Marriage torts still have power in some states.
Lawyers don’t comment, but the case moves forward.
Author: Evan Null
Law and Romance in the Same Room
Former U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema can be sued under North Carolina’s so-called “homewrecker” law after a federal judge ruled the state has jurisdiction over allegations she helped break up a marriage by having an affair with a woman’s then-husband. Sinema acknowledged having a sexual relationship with Matthew Ammel, who was a member of her security detail while she was a senator, but said she could not be sued in North Carolina because she lacks a meaningful connection to the state.
U.S. District Judge David A. Bragdon rejected that argument and denied Sinema’s motion to dismiss the case, saying she knew Ammel lived in the state with his wife, Heather Ammel, and their three children. Bragdon also pointed out that Heather Ammel discovered the affair in early 2024 after reading nine messages Sinema sent to her then-husband while he was in North Carolina.
In her civil complaint, Heather Ammel is seeking damages from Sinema, claiming the ex-lawmaker interfered with what she described as a “good and loving marriage” by pursuing her then-husband. North Carolina is among the few states that recognize alienation-of-affection claims, allowing spouses to seek damages from a third party they believe caused the breakdown of their marriage.
Sinema’s lawyers, Steven Epstein and Abigail Jenkins, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In his ruling, the judge found that the messages between the two affair partners showed Sinema was “furthering a romantic relationship” with Ammel and “invading” his marriage both while she went on trips with him and when he was home.
According to Heather Ammel’s lawsuit, her husband joined Sinema’s security team in 2022 after retiring from the U.S. Army. He then began traveling with her domestically and internationally. Sinema, who is unmarried, said in a July 31 deposition that she first had sex with Ammel around Memorial Day 2024.
The Legal Drama of a Romantic Escapade
Former U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema can be sued under North Carolina’s so-called “homewrecker” law after a federal judge ruled the state has jurisdiction over allegations she helped break up a marriage by having an affair with a woman’s then-husband. Sinema acknowledged having a sexual relationship with Matthew Ammel, who was a member of her security detail while she was a senator, but said she could not be sued in North Carolina because she lacks a meaningful connection to the state.
U.S. District Judge David A. Bragdon rejected that argument and denied Sinema’s motion to dismiss the case, saying she knew Ammel lived in the state with his wife, Heather Ammel, and their three children. Bragdon also pointed out that Heather Ammel discovered the affair in early 2024 after reading nine messages Sinema sent to her then-husband while he was in North Carolina.
In her civil complaint, Heather Ammel is seeking damages from Sinema, claiming the ex-lawmaker interfered with what she described as a “good and loving marriage” by pursuing her then-husband. North Carolina is among the few states that recognize alienation-of-affection claims, allowing spouses to seek damages from a third party they believe caused the breakdown of their marriage.
Sinema’s lawyers, Steven Epstein and Abigail Jenkins, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In his ruling, the judge found that the messages between the two affair partners showed Sinema was “furthering a romantic relationship” with Ammel and “invading” his marriage both while she went on trips with him and when he was home.
According to Heather Ammel’s lawsuit, her husband joined Sinema’s security team in 2022 after retiring from the U.S. Army. He then began traveling with her domestically and internationally. Sinema, who is unmarried, said in a July 31 deposition that she first had sex with Ammel around Memorial Day 2024.
Messages, Marriages, and the Law
Former U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema can be sued under North Carolina’s so-called “homewrecker” law after a federal judge ruled the state has jurisdiction over allegations she helped break up a marriage by having an affair with a woman’s then-husband. Sinema acknowledged having a sexual relationship with Matthew Ammel, who was a member of her security detail while she was a senator, but said she could not be sued in North Carolina because she lacks a meaningful connection to the state.
U.S. District Judge David A. Bragdon rejected that argument and denied Sinema’s motion to dismiss the case, saying she knew Ammel lived in the state with his wife, Heather Ammel, and their three children. Bragdon also pointed out that Heather Ammel discovered the affair in early 2024 after reading nine messages Sinema sent to her then-husband while he was in North Carolina.
In her civil complaint, Heather Ammel is seeking damages from Sinema, claiming the ex-lawmaker interfered with what she described as a “good and loving marriage” by pursuing her then-husband. North Carolina is among the few states that recognize alienation-of-affection claims, allowing spouses to seek damages from a third party they believe caused the breakdown of their marriage.
Sinema’s lawyers, Steven Epstein and Abigail Jenkins, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In his ruling, the judge found that the messages between the two affair partners showed Sinema was “furthering a romantic relationship” with Ammel and “invading” his marriage both while she went on trips with him and when he was home.
According to Heather Ammel’s lawsuit, her husband joined Sinema’s security team in 2022 after retiring from the U.S. Army. He then began traveling with her domestically and internationally. Sinema, who is unmarried, said in a July 31 deposition that she first had sex with Ammel around Memorial Day 2024.
When Politics Meets Personal Life
Former U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema can be sued under North Carolina’s so-called “homewrecker” law after a federal judge ruled the state has jurisdiction over allegations she helped break up a marriage by having an affair with a woman’s then-husband. Sinema acknowledged having a sexual relationship with Matthew Ammel, who was a member of her security detail while she was a senator, but said she could not be sued in North Carolina because she lacks a meaningful connection to the state.
U.S. District Judge David A. Bragdon rejected that argument and denied Sinema’s motion to dismiss the case, saying she knew Ammel lived in the state with his wife, Heather Ammel, and their three children. Bragdon also pointed out that Heather Ammel discovered the affair in early 2024 after reading nine messages Sinema sent to her then-husband while he was in North Carolina.
In her civil complaint, Heather Ammel is seeking damages from Sinema, claiming the ex-lawmaker interfered with what she described as a “good and loving marriage” by pursuing her then-husband. North Carolina is among the few states that recognize alienation-of-affection claims, allowing spouses to seek damages from a third party they believe caused the breakdown of their marriage.
Sinema’s lawyers, Steven Epstein and Abigail Jenkins, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In his ruling, the judge found that the messages between the two affair partners showed Sinema was “furthering a romantic relationship” with Ammel and “invading” his marriage both while she went on trips with him and when he was home.
According to Heather Ammel’s lawsuit, her husband joined Sinema’s security team in 2022 after retiring from the U.S. Army. He then began traveling with her domestically and internationally. Sinema, who is unmarried, said in a July 31 deposition that she first had sex with Ammel around Memorial Day 2024.
The Legal and Emotional Aftermath
Former U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema can be sued under North Carolina’s so-called “homewrecker” law after a federal judge ruled the state has jurisdiction over allegations she helped break up a marriage by having an affair with a woman’s then-husband. Sinema acknowledged having a sexual relationship with Matthew Ammel, who was a member of her security detail while she was a senator, but said she could not be sued in North Carolina because she lacks a meaningful connection to the state.
U.S. District Judge David A. Bragdon rejected that argument and denied Sinema’s motion to dismiss the case, saying she knew Ammel lived in the state with his wife, Heather Ammel, and their three children. Bragdon also pointed out that Heather Ammel discovered the affair in early 2024 after reading nine messages Sinema sent to her then-husband while he was in North Carolina.
In her civil complaint, Heather Ammel is seeking damages from Sinema, claiming the ex-lawmaker interfered with what she described as a “good and loving marriage” by pursuing her then-husband. North Carolina is among the few states that recognize alienation-of-affection claims, allowing spouses to seek damages from a third party they believe caused the breakdown of their marriage.
Sinema’s lawyers, Steven Epstein and Abigail Jenkins, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In his ruling, the judge found that the messages between the two affair partners showed Sinema was “furthering a romantic relationship” with Ammel and “invading” his marriage both while she went on trips with him and when he was home.
According to Heather Ammel’s lawsuit, her husband joined Sinema’s security team in 2022 after retiring from the U.S. Army. He then began traveling with her domestically and internationally. Sinema, who is unmarried, said in a July 31 deposition that she first had sex with Ammel around Memorial Day 2024.
