Judge rules former senator can now be sued under NC ‘homewrecker’ law

A federal court has cleared the way for a lawsuit against former U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema under North Carolina's alienation of affection statute, a legal doctrine that has largely faded from use across the country. The judge's decision addresses whether a defendant can be sued in North Carolina courts for conduct that occurred elsewhere, a threshold question that Sinema's legal team had contested.

Sinema has publicly acknowledged her romantic relationship with Matthew Ammel, who worked as a member of her security detail, during 2024. Ammel's spouse filed the lawsuit under North Carolina's homewrecker law, which allows individuals to seek damages from a third party believed responsible for interfering in their marriage. Sinema's attorneys had contended that the former senator should not be subject to North Carolina jurisdiction based on the nature and location of the underlying conduct.

The judge's ruling specifically found that Sinema cannot be shielded from the lawsuit simply by arguing jurisdictional limitations. This determination means the case will proceed to address the substantive claims, rather than being dismissed on procedural grounds. The decision underscores how North Carolina's preservation of alienation of affection doctrine can reach beyond its borders in certain circumstances.

Alienation of affection laws remain active in only a handful of American states, as most jurisdictions have abandoned them as outdated relics. These statutes historically allowed wronged spouses to pursue financial claims against individuals accused of destroying their marriages. North Carolina is among the states that have retained this legal avenue, though its modern application remains controversial and relatively uncommon compared to its historical prevalence.