PHOENIX (AP) — Former U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema had a romantic relationship with a member of her security detail that led to the breakup of the man’s marriage, his ex-wife alleges in a lawsuit seeking at least $75,000 from Sinema.
Matthew and Heather Ammel had “a good and loving marriage” with “genuine love and affection” before Sinema interfered, pursuing Matthew Ammel despite knowing he was married, Heather Ammel alleges in her lawsuit.
The Arizona lawmaker’s head of security hired Matthew Ammel after he retired from the Army in 2022, according to the lawsuit, which says he accompanied her on travels to destinations including Napa Valley, California; Las Vegas and Saudi Arabia.
In early 2024, Ammel’s wife discovered “romantic and lascivious” messages he’d exchanged with Sinema over the Signal messaging app. That summer, he stopped wearing his wedding ring and Sinema gave him a job as a national security fellow in her Senate office while he continued to work for her campaign as a bodyguard, the lawsuit alleges.
Sinema also paid for psychedelic treatment for Ammel, who has struggled with post-traumatic stress, substance abuse and traumatic brain injuries tied to his military deployments in Afghanistan and the Middle East, according to the lawsuit.
Sinema and her attorney did not respond to requests for comment.
The lawsuit was quietly filed late last year in Moore County, North Carolina. It captured global attention this week when it was moved to federal court.
North Carolina is one of a handful of states that allow jilted spouses to sue for “alienation of affection” to seek damages from a third party responsible for the breakup of their marriage.
Sinema left Congress after the 2024 election. She declined to seek reelection to the Senate, capping a tumultuous single term in which she alienated liberals and left the Democratic Party to become an independent.
She now works for the Washington-based legal and lobbying firm Hogan Lovells. She has lobbied for data center development and research funding for the psychedelic drug ibogaine.
Ujamaa Place, a St. Paul-based social-support organization focused on young African-American men, announced the appointment of Richard Coffey as chief executive officer, effective Dec. 1. Coffey most recently served as chief program officer at 180 Degrees.
ARCHITECTURE/ENGINEERING
NewStudio Architecture, St. Paul, announced the following new hires and promotions: Nathan Anderson, Samantha Christner, Maria D’Angelo, Joshua Highley, Justin King, Samuel Lauer, Jon Martyr, Kelsey Matthes, Casey McKenzie, Jena Quast, Sunny Reed, Parker Smith, Lucas Tarr, Livia Wagner; leadership promotions: Dave Dammar, Director of Survey and Technology; Brita Hauser, Senior Associate, Architect/Co-Director of North American Retail; Ken Martin, Senior Associate, Architect/Director of Corporate and Special Projects; James Matthes, Senior Associate, Architect/Co-Director of North American Retail, and Devyn Smoter, Senior Designer.
HEALTH CARE
NMDP, formerly Be The Match, a Minneapolis-based national bone marrow donation registry, announced the hire of Jessica Kowal as chief philanthropy officer to lead the NMDP Foundation. Most recently, Kowal served as assistant dean for Institutional Advancement at the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management. … beBright, a Minnetonka-based support organization focused on pediatric and orthodontic care, announced the appointment of Jeff Komoroski as chief financial officer, effective Dec. 1, 2025.
HONORS
Clean Energy Economy MN, a Minneapolis-based advocacy organization, announced it has honored Frank Jossi with its Excellence in Clean Energy Journalism Award. Jossi reports on energy and business issues for the Energy News Network, Finance & Commerce and Midwest Energy News. CEEM also announced the creation of the Melissa A. Hortman Award, named in memory of the late speaker emerita whose leadership helped shape Minnesota’s clean energy future.
LAW
Fredrikson, Minneapolis, announced the lection of 11 new shareholders: Laura A. Habein, Douglass B. Hiatt, Eldri L. Johnson, Soobin Kim, Nena M. Lenz, Wendy A. Lisman, Anthony S. Mendoza, Jennifer Bouta Mojica, Robin M. Radke, Roxanne N. Thorelli and Sarah E. Tucher. … Gov. Tim Walz announced the appointment of Jessica Palmer-Denig as chief administrative law judge at the Court of Administrative Hearings, succeeding temporary chief judge Tim O’Malley. Palmer-Denig is an assistant chief administrative law judge and previously worked as a trial attorney for the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and as an assistant attorney general in the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office.
MANUFACTURING
Conductive Containers, a Maple Grove-based maker of static control packaging for electronics, high-value components and optics for business, announced the appointment of Steve Wyres as vice president of sales & marketing. Wyres most recently served in sales leadership roles at Colder Products Co.
MEDIA
Minnesota Public Radio, St. Paul, announced the election of eight new members to its board of trustees: Jennifer Barrett, J.P. Morgan Wealth Management; Ambar Hanson, Mortenson Family Foundation; Angie Lee, Moona Moono & Brightsized; Mark T. Nelson, Madrona Venture Group; Rebekah E. Dopp, IABBB, the BBB international organization; Todd Restel, First Supply; Ash Hanson, Department of Public Transformation in Granite Falls, Minn.; Sherry Sanchez Tibbetts, Greater Twin Cities United Way.
NONPROFITS
The Minneapolis Foundation announced the addition of Nate Wade as chief investment officer. Wade previously was investment officer with the McKnight Foundation.
REAL ESTATE
Founders Properties, a Minnetonka-based real estate investment and management company, announced the promotion of Kim Hofstede from managing director of portfolio management to president. Wade Lau, who previously served as both president and CEO, remains chief executive officer and serves on the board of directors. … Twin Cities-based commercial real estate firm Transwestern Real Estate Services announced Jesse Tollison joined the Minneapolis office in the role of research manager. Tollison previously worked in a similar role at Colliers.
SERVICES
Premier Biotech, a Minneapolis-based provider of drug testing services for business, announced that Rod Weis has joined the company as chief revenue officer. Most recently, he served as vice president, Enterprise Sales at UKG, a workforce operating platform and was CRO at Americas at First Advantage, a provider of employment background screening, identity, and verification.
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