Former Arizona Democratic state senator-turned-independent Kyrsten Sinema has been hit with a lawsuit by the ex-wife of her former bodyguard, Matthew Amell, according to documents filed in a North Carolina federal court on Wednesday.
Heather Amell claimed that Sinema was involved in an affair with her then-husband, Matthew Amell, according to The Guardian. lawsuit. She alleged that Sinema’s inappropriate behavior with her husband, which included lavish trips, directly contributed to their separation in 2024. The couple had been married for 14 years, according to the documents.
Along with bringing the former member of her staff around frequently single In an interview, Heather Amell accused the former senator of paying for her ex-husband to get “drug treatment.”
The lawsuit cited alleged messages between Sinema and Matthew Amiel. He said She was intimidated by Sinema, and allegedly responded that she was only seeking to “intimidate her opponents,” according to the documents.
She is accused of advising him to bring MDMA, also known as… Orgasm or mollyis on a business trip so she can “guide him through a psychedelic experience.” (RELATED: It’s Going to Be Cinematic: A thorn in Democrats’ side goes after her party colleagues)
Sinema told her security guard to bring Molly with him and that she would guide him through it. Now his ex-wife is suing her. pic.twitter.com/FHNzE7PGS0
– Ryan Grim (@ryangrim) January 15, 2026
In May 2024, Sinema allegedly paid Matthew Amell to receive drug treatment in Nashville, Tennessee, before flying him to Napa Valley, California, to provide security for a concert. The lawsuit also alleged that she and Matthew Amell were staying together in a private Airbnb.
Sinema has spoken in the past about her support of ibogaine, a psychedelic drug developed from the African shrub plant, Politico previously reported. I mentioned.
The lawsuit alleges that in early 2024, the two texted each other while Matthew Amiel was at a baseball game. Matthew Amell allegedly wrote that he wanted to start a “f*ck the Forces” chant, and Sinema allegedly responded that she would “f*ck the Forces hot.”
WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 11: U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) wears a protective mask as she arrives at the U.S. Capitol on December 11, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Stephanie Reynolds/Getty Images)
In June 2024, Sinema allegedly offered Matthew Amell a position on her staff in the U.S. Senate as a defense and national security fellow, the documents state. (RELATED: ‘Hypocrisy is the goal’: Kyrsten Sinema has the last laugh at the filibuster)
Before his resignation, Sinema’s former security chief expressed concerns in 2023 that Sinema was having “sexual relations with other security members,” the lawsuit said.
Heather Amell also claims that her husband suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries as a result of his previous job in the US Army.
Sinema left the Democratic Party and registered as an independent in 2022 during her time in the Senate. IIn 2024, she announced that she would not run for re-election. Let’s go Senior advisor At a law firm based in Washington, D.C. as of the date of publication.
Sinema did not respond to a request for comment on the lawsuit, according to Politico.