Judge Clears 'Homewrecker' Suit Against Sinema
Judge Clears 'Homewrecker' Suit Against Sinema
The News
Former U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema can be sued under North Carolina's "homewrecker" law over her relationship with a member of her security detail, a judge ruled Friday.
U.S. District Judge David A. Bragdon rejected Sinema's argument that she has no connection to North Carolina and therefore can't be sued there. He pointed to nine text messages she sent bodyguard Matthew Ammel while he was in the state, and said it was implausible that she did not know where he was when she texted him.
The suit was brought by Ammel's ex-wife, Heather Ammel, who is seeking financial damages. North Carolina is one of a handful of states that still lets a jilted spouse sue a third party for "alienation of affection."
Timeline
Matthew Ammel retires from the Army and joins Sinema's security team, accompanying her on domestic and foreign travel, according to Heather Ammel's complaint.
Heather Ammel discovers "romantic and lascivious" messages her husband exchanged with Sinema on the Signal app, the lawsuit alleges.
The relationship becomes sexual during a trip to Napa, California, Sinema later testified.
Matthew Ammel stops wearing his wedding ring, and Sinema gives him a job as a national security fellow in her Senate office while he keeps working as a bodyguard for her campaign, the lawsuit alleges.
Matthew and Heather Ammel separate.
Sinema describes the couple's sexual encounters in a deposition, saying they took place in New York, Washington, Colorado and Arizona, but never in North Carolina.
Judge Bragdon rules the lawsuit can move forward.
Reactions
Sinema has acknowledged the romantic relationship with Ammel. Her legal argument was jurisdictional: that a North Carolina court has no business hearing a case against an Arizona politician whose relationship played out in other states. The judge disagreed.
Heather Ammel alleges in her complaint that she and her husband had "a good and loving marriage" with "genuine love and affection" until Sinema interfered, pursuing him despite knowing he was married.
Steven Epstein, Sinema's attorney, did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment, The Independent reported.
What's Next
The case now proceeds in federal court in North Carolina, with Sinema facing her boyfriend's ex-wife in a damages fight, TMZ reported. Heather Ammel is seeking financial compensation; no trial date has been reported.
More
Sinema represented Arizona in the U.S. House and then served a single Senate term that ended early last year. She left the Democratic Party to become an independent during that term and did not seek reelection.
What an 'alienation of affection' claim is
Only a small number of states still allow the claim. It lets a spouse sue an outsider blamed for destroying the marriage and collect money damages — no criminal charge is involved.
Poll
Should states still allow "alienation of affection" lawsuits?
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