Ohio Congressman Max Miller Sues Ex-Wife for Defamation Amid Heated Divorce Battle
CLEVELAND, OHIO — U.S. Representative Max Miller (R-OH) has filed a defamation lawsuit against his ex-wife, Emily Moreno, accusing her and her legal team of spreading false claims about domestic abuse in an effort to damage his reputation and political career.
The lawsuit, filed Wednesday in Cleveland, alleges that Moreno and her attorney, Andrew Zashin, deliberately fed misleading information to major media outlets, including The Daily Mail and the New York Post. Miller claims these reports—which described him as a “violent and abusive husband and father”—have harmed his standing with voters, donors, and colleagues as he seeks reelection this November.
A Contentious Divorce Turns Legal
Miller, a two-term congressman and former Trump White House aide, married Moreno in 2022. The couple welcomed a daughter in 2023 before filing for divorce in August 2024—a split that coincided with Moreno’s father, Bernie Moreno, winning a U.S. Senate seat with former President Donald Trump’s endorsement.
The divorce proceedings quickly turned ugly, with both sides trading accusations. Moreno alleged Miller threw boiling water at her, a claim he denies. Miller, in turn, sought a restraining order against her and subpoenaed Senator Moreno to testify in their custody dispute. The divorce was finalized last June.
Miller’s lawsuit seeks at least $25,000 in compensatory damages, punitive damages, and legal fees. His campaign spokesperson stated, “Congressman Miller is holding those responsible accountable for the personal, professional, and political harm caused by these false allegations.”
Past Allegations Resurface
This isn’t the first time Miller has faced abuse claims. In 2021, his former girlfriend, ex-White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham, accused him of physical abuse in her memoir and a Washington Post op-ed. Miller sued her for defamation but dropped the case in 2023 before trial.
Moreno’s spokesperson, Stefan Mychajliw, referenced the earlier lawsuit, saying, “Mr. Miller tried to silence Stephanie Grisham—he won’t silence Emily Moreno.” He added that Moreno has photographic evidence of injuries, though Miller’s team maintains that child welfare investigators found abuse claims unsubstantiated.
Political Fallout Looms
The legal battle comes at a critical time for Miller, who faces Democrat Brian Poindexter, a union ironworker and local councilman, in Ohio’s 7th Congressional District. With the race heating up, the scandal threatens to overshadow Miller’s campaign.
Legal experts say defamation cases involving public figures are difficult to prove, requiring evidence of malice or reckless disregard for the truth. Whether the lawsuit will bolster Miller’s defense or further entangle him in controversy remains to be seen.
For now, the bitter feud between the congressman and his ex-wife shows no signs of cooling down.
— Reported by Nexio News
