Former U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema has acknowledged in court documents that she had a romantic relationship with Matthew Ammel while he was still legally married. The case was filed by his estranged wife, Heather Ammel.

The lawsuit was submitted in North Carolina in 2025. According to the filing, the relationship reportedly began in 2024 before Matthew Ammel formally separated from his wife. Court documents also claim that the pair met in several cities, including New York City and Washington, D.C..

However, Sinema’s legal team is asking the court to dismiss the case, arguing that none of the alleged encounters occurred in North Carolina. Her lawyers say this means the state may not have the legal authority to hear the case.

The dispute now centers on whether North Carolina courts have jurisdiction over the lawsuit. Judges will decide if the case should move forward or be dismissed based on where the alleged events took place.