Sinema Faces Lawsuit
Judge rules former Senator Kyrsten Sinema can face lawsuit under North Carolina law
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A North Carolina judge cleared the way for a lawsuit against former U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema under the state's controversial "alienation of affection" law. Regional Press reported that Sinema can be sued over her relationship with Matthew Ammel, a member of her security detail. The lawsuit was filed by Ammel's ex-wife seeking financial damages.
Sinema had argued she could not be sued in North Carolina since she had no connection to the state. But the judge rejected this claim, ruling that nine text messages Sinema sent to Ammel while he was in North Carolina gave the court jurisdiction over her. The decision opens the door to damages under one of America's rarest legal remedies.
A Rare Law That Few States Still Allow
North Carolina is one of only a handful of states that permits "alienation of affection" lawsuits. News Source explained that jilted spouses can sue a third party for damages if that person is blamed for breaking up their marriage. Most states have abolished this old legal remedy as outdated and problematic. But North Carolina keeps it on the books, making cases like Sinema's possible.
Sinema's Effort to Block the Case Failed
Sinema tried to get the case dismissed by arguing she had no real connection to North Carolina. Legal Report stated that her lawyers claimed the court had no power over her. However, the judge found that nine text messages she sent Ammel while he was physically present in the state were enough to establish jurisdiction. This small digital footprint proved sufficient to let the lawsuit proceed against her.
What Comes Next in the Case
Now that the judge cleared the legal hurdle, Sinema faces the possibility of paying monetary damages to Ammel's ex-wife. Court Records noted that "alienation of affection" cases typically seek compensation for the emotional harm and loss caused by a spouse's infidelity and the third party's role in it. The actual dollar amount and strength of the ex-wife's case will be decided as the lawsuit moves forward. This ruling marks a significant moment for the former senator, who served Arizona in the U.S. Senate.
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