Judge allows lawsuit against former Sen. Kyrsten Sinema under North Carolina’s ‘homewrecker’ law

The lawsuit, filed by Matthew Ammel’s ex-wife, seeks financial damages from Sinema, who represented Arizona in Congress.

PHOENIX — 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.

Sinema has acknowledged having a romantic relationship with Matthew Ammel but argued that she can’t be sued in North Carolina because she has no connection to the state.

U.S. District Judge David A. Bragdon rejected that argument, saying nine text messages she sent Ammel while he was in the state give North Carolina jurisdiction over her. He found it implausible that she was unaware of Ammel’s whereabouts when she texted him.

Sinema’s lawyer, Steven Epstein, did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.

The lawsuit, filed by Ammel’s ex-wife, seeks financial damages from Sinema, who represented Arizona in the U.S. House and later the Senate for one term that ended early last year. North Carolina is one of a handful of states that allow jilted spouses to sue for “alienation of affection” to seek compensation from a third party responsible for the breakup of their marriage.