Kyrsten Sinema asks a judge to raise bond for her ex after he allegedly sought her help to get out of jail

Former U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema wants a judge to make it harder for her former bodyguard and ex-partner to get out of jail, according to court filings reported by The Arizona Republic.

Matthew Ammel, who worked on Sinema's security detail during her time in the Senate and later had a romantic relationship with her, was jailed after allegedly violating a no-contact order, the filings say.

The allegations

Sinema obtained an order of protection in September after her Cave Creek home was damaged, with losses estimated at more than $200,000. Ammel was arrested on Sept. 17 and a grand jury indicted him on one felony count of criminal damage. He is accused of throwing 22 of Sinema's paintings into her pool.

In a filing, Sinema's attorney, Colleen Clase, said Ammel made threats to "take her down" during the incident, though Sinema was not at home. Clase also said a bail bondsman called Sinema on Ammel's behalf to ask her to post his bond, which her side described as indirect contact and harassment of a witness.

The bond fight

Rather than help, Sinema asked the court to raise Ammel's bond. Prosecutors have asked for $100,000, describing him as a danger to the former senator and the public.

In an interview with the Republic, Ammel, a former Green Beret, reportedly said he destroyed the artwork out of anger over Sinema's ties to artificial intelligence work. The criminal case is pending and Ammel has not been convicted.