By admin 
CAVE CREEK, AZ (AZFamily) — The recent arrest of the ex-lover and bodyguard of former Arizona politician Kyrsten Sinema is stirring controversy in an already public scandal.
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Matthew Ammel is accused of causing more than $200,000 worth of damage to Sinema’s Cave Creek home when she didn’t follow his demands to post a specific video on social media.
Political consultant weighs in
Sinema is no longer a sitting U.S. senator, but her high-profile background keeps her private life in the public eye.
“She came out of nowhere and ended up dominating Washington’s very brass knuckle game,” political consultant Stan Barnes said. “But then, of course, she couldn’t be reelected in her own party because she is just too independent minded.”
Barnes reacted to the latest development in the ongoing saga.
“It’s unseemly. It’s salacious, and it doesn’t help anyone’s reputation,” Barnes said.
Sinema’s political background
Sinema’s political career ended in 2025 when she didn’t seek reelection after representing Arizona in Congress for 12 years.
She admitted to having an affair with Ammel, her bodyguard at the time, while in office and is currently being sued by his ex-wife in North Carolina for breaking up their 14-year marriage under what’s known as the “homewrecker law.”
“Sen. Sinema is among the most rare Arizona politicians in state history,” Barnes said.
The arrest
That history is the backdrop for Ammel’s recent arrest for criminal damage.
Sinema called Maricopa County sheriff’s deputies on Sept. 3 and reported that Ammel trashed her Cave Creek home while she was out of town a few days prior, causing more than $200,000 worth of damage.
Court documents describe a messy scene: shattered glass from a broken mirror and alcohol bottles, along with defaced art floating in the backyard pool.
“There’s something about that makes me smile that in this story of Kyrsten Sinema that it would involve artwork, expensive liquor, and a nice mirror. It somehow is illustrative of her love life wide open style as she’s in the public square,” Barnes said.
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Ammel’s background and booking
Ammel is an Army veteran with a history of mental health issues. His arrest came weeks after the crime he confessed to.
He had been petitioned to a behavioral health center until he was booked on Sept. 18.
“They’re saying that he’s combative and he’s in the hallway,” a deputy said during his first court appearance.
Arizona State University said in a statement that Ammel’s fellowship with the university ends Oct. 31 and the work “has been to support a Department of War investment in ASU for training veterans in alternative farming practices and providing opportunities for employment to veterans.”
What’s next
Sinema now works as a senior advisor at a global law firm in Washington, D.C. and is still a professor at ASU.
Barnes believes she will keep her job despite the scrutiny.
“I don’t think she is in danger of losing her livelihood over it. Washington is a cynical place,” Barnes said.
Both attorneys representing Sinema and Ammel’s ex-wife in the civil lawsuit declined to comment. Ammel is due back in court for the criminal damage charge next week.
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