PoliticsKyrsten Sinema's Ex-Boyfriend Explains Why He Trashed Her House: 'I Was Mad at the System'
Kyrsten Sinema's ex-boyfriend opened up about what he said led to the destructive incident at her home.
Oct. 1 2026, Published 7:38 a.m. ET
Kyrsten Sinema's ex-boyfriend Matthew Ammel is speaking out about why he allegedly caused more than $200,000 in damage to the former senator's Arizona home.
Ammel, 39, told The Arizona Republic that he was angry with the political system and directed that frustration at Sinema's belongings during the August 30 incident at her Cave Creek property. He acknowledged damaging her artwork and drinking alcohol that night.
"I was mad at the system, and I took it out on her," Ammel told the publication, adding that he was frustrated with how politicians spend their time.
Mattnew Ammel Says He Was Angry About the Political System
Matthew Ammel said anger toward the political system contributed to his actions.
Ammel said his actions were fueled by broader frustrations involving U.S. politics and foreign policy, including the war in Gaza and artificial intelligence.
The Army veteran, who previously served as Sinema's bodyguard, has also said he was experiencing a stress-induced mental health crisis at the time.
Ammel had been staying at Sinema's Cave Creek home while she was away when the incident occurred, according to his account.
Matthew Ammel Wanted Kyrsten Sinema to Share a Military Video
Matthew Ammel wanted Kyrsten Sinema to share footage from his 2007 military deployment before the dispute escalated.
The dispute reportedly escalated when Ammel wanted Sinema to post a video to her X account.
Ammel said the footage came from his 2007 deployment to Iraq and showed soldiers providing medical treatment to a man who had been shot. He wanted Sinema to use her connections to investigate why his unit hadn't received a Presidential Unit Citation for its service.
According to court documents, Sinema told investigators Ammel threatened to damage one of her paintings every 10 minutes unless she shared the footage.
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Kyrsten Sinema's Home Sustained More Than $200,000 in Damage
Authorities said 22 paintings were thrown into the pool as part of the property damage.
After Sinema refused, Ammel allegedly removed 22 paintings from her walls and threw them into the swimming pool. Another painting was found spray-painted near the entrance.
Authorities said expensive bottles of alcohol were also smashed and a large wall-mounted mirror was shattered.
Investigators valued the damaged paintings at $123,015, while the overall property damage was estimated at more than $200,000. Ammel was later charged with felony criminal damage and released with an electric monitor.
Kyrsten Sinema and Matthew Ammel's Relationship Has Sparked a Separate Lawsuit
Kyrsten Sinema and Matthew Ammel's former relationship is also at the center of a separate civil lawsuit.
The incident comes amid another legal battle involving the former couple.
Ammel's ex-wife, Heather Ammel, has sued Kyrsten in North Carolina, alleging the former senator interfered with their marriage. Kyrsten has acknowledged that she and Matthew became romantically involved in May 2024 but has contested Heather's claims in the civil case.
Kyrsten left the Senate after declining to seek reelection in 2024 and now works at the law firm Hogan Lovells.
The house-damage case, meanwhile, remains pending, and Matthew's account represents his explanation for the incident rather than a judicial finding about his motivations.
