Former Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema's Ex-Boyfriend Accused of Causing More Than $200,000 in Damage

Former Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema's ex-boyfriend and former bodyguard Matthew Ammel has been arrested and accused of causing more than $200,000 (£151,000) in damage to her Cave Creek home and personal property, according to court documents.

Ammel, 39, was arrested on 18 September and is facing a felony criminal-damage charge in connection with an incident that allegedly occurred while Sinema was out of town.

The allegations centre on artwork, bottles of alcohol and other property inside and around Sinema's home. According to a probable-cause statement cited by Arizona's Family and FOX 10 Phoenix, Sinema told deputies that Ammel entered the property on 30 August and demanded that she post a video to her X account.

What Is Matthew Ammel Accused Of?

Sinema told investigators that Ammel threatened to damage her paintings if she did not post the video, according to the court documents. The probable-cause statement alleges that after Sinema did not comply, Ammel removed about 22 paintings from the walls and threw them into the backyard swimming pool.

Investigators also allege that another painting was found near the front entrance of the property after being spray-painted with black lettering. Arizona's Family reported that deputies documented the paintings in the pool as part of their investigation into the alleged criminal damage.

The alleged damage was not limited to the artwork. According to FOX 10 Phoenix, several bottles of alcohol were reportedly broken inside the home, leaving glass scattered around the property and pool. A large mirror was also allegedly shattered after a glass bottle was thrown at it.

Damage Allegedly Exceeded $200,000

Investigators estimated the value of the paintings at $123,015 (£93,000), while the total damage was estimated at more than $200,000, according to the reports based on court documents. Sinema reportedly supplied investigators with text messages, video recordings and surveillance footage connected to the incident.

Ammel was arrested on 18 September and booked on a felony criminal-damage charge. WRAL, citing reports from KPNX in Phoenix, said he was later released and placed on electronic monitoring while the case proceeds.

The allegations have not been proven in court. The criminal case is also separate from a civil lawsuit filed in North Carolina by Heather Ammel, Matthew Ammel's former wife, against Sinema.

Sinema and Ammel's Previous Relationship

Ammel previously worked as a member of Sinema's security detail after retiring from the US Army. Sinema has acknowledged having a romantic relationship with him, while Heather Ammel has alleged in a separate lawsuit that the relationship interfered with her marriage.

The North Carolina lawsuit has added another legal dimension to the former senator's relationship with Ammel. Heather Ammel sued Sinema under the state's so-called 'homewrecker' law, alleging that Sinema knowingly interfered with her marriage while Matthew Ammel was working as her bodyguard, according to WRAL.

Sinema has argued that she cannot be sued in North Carolina because she has no connection to the state, but a federal judge rejected that argument earlier this month. The property-damage case in Arizona, meanwhile, concerns the alleged events at Sinema's Cave Creek residence and the felony criminal-damage charge against Ammel.

Sinema's representatives had been contacted for comment about the Arizona allegations, according to local reports. The allegations against Ammel remain matters for the criminal court to determine.