Judge says nine texts to Ammel establish North Carolina jurisdiction
A federal judge in North Carolina ruled Friday that former U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema can be sued in the state under its “alienation of affection” statute over her romantic relationship with a member of her security detail, rejecting Sinema’s argument that the court had no jurisdiction over her.
U.S. District Judge David A. Bragdon said nine text messages Sinema sent to Matthew Ammel while he was in North Carolina gave the state personal jurisdiction over the former Arizona senator. Bragdon wrote that he found it implausible that Sinema was unaware of Ammel’s whereabouts when she texted him, according to the Associated Press.
Sinema had argued that she could not be sued in North Carolina because she has no connection to the state. Her lawyer, Steven Epstein, did not immediately respond to an email from the Associated Press seeking comment on Friday’s ruling.
The lawsuit was filed by Heather Ammel, Matthew Ammel’s ex-wife, who is seeking financial damages from Sinema. The suit alleges that the relationship between Sinema and Matthew Ammel contributed to the breakup of the Ammels’ marriage.
North Carolina is one of a handful of states that still allow jilted spouses to sue for alienation of affection, a tort claim that permits compensation from a third party deemed responsible for the dissolution of a marriage. Most U.S. states do not permit alienation-of-affection claims.
Sinema served Arizona in the U.S. House and later in the U.S. Senate for one term that ended early last year. She has acknowledged her romantic relationship with Matthew Ammel.
Friday’s ruling is limited to the question of jurisdiction and does not address the merits of the alienation-of-affection claim. The case now proceeds in North Carolina federal court.