Former U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema accused her ex-boyfriend and former bodyguard, Matthew Ammel, of damaging property at her Arizona home; police put losses at more than $200,000. Ammel was charged Sept. 17 with aggravated criminal damage.
Sinema told police Ammel demanded she post a video on X and threatened to damage one painting every 10 minutes until she complied. She said he removed about 22 paintings and threw them into the pool, while another was spray-painted with black letters. Sinema valued the damaged paintings at $123,015. Police said surveillance and other video identified Ammel as the person damaging the property.
A judge barred Ammel from returning to the alleged crime scene or contacting Sinema. He was released with an ankle monitor and curfew, and said he was weighing how to respond and would consult his lawyer. His case is due back in Maricopa County Superior Court for a status conference on Oct. 1. Separately, his ex-wife, Heather Ammel, is suing Sinema in North Carolina under the state’s “homewrecker” law, alleging Sinema broke up their marriage.
