07/28/2026
Rep. Max Miller Faces Severe Domestic Abuse Allegations and High-Stakes Defamation Lawsuit in Ohio
CLEVELAND, OH A bitter legal fallout between U.S. Representative Max Miller (R-OH) and his ex-wife, Emily Moreno the daughter of U.S. Senator Bernie Moreno has spilled into the public sphere through thousands of pages of leaked court documents, police records, and a high-stakes defamation lawsuit.
The filings contain explosive accusations regarding domestic volatility, child welfare investigations, and a landmark test of Ohio's new anti-SLAPP statute.
Summary of Core Allegations
According to police files, investigative reports, and domestic relations documents obtained from the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, Emily Moreno detailed a pattern of volatile behavior during their relationship:
The Hot Water Incident: Moreno alleged that during a June 2024 argument, Miller threw hot water from a cooking pot onto her chest. She claimed that when she curled onto the floor, Miller grabbed the kitchen sink sprayer and continued to spray her with hot water.
The Gun Allegation: Moreno reported an incident on New Year's Eve where turning on a light to change their infant daughter's diaper provoked Miller, who allegedly held a firearm to her head.
Child Welfare Inquiries: Local authorities and children's services investigated how the couple's young daughter suffered a broken collarbone. While the county's child welfare agency ultimately ruled the abuse finding "unsubstantiated" due to insufficient conclusive evidence, Moreno stated to detectives that she could not rule out Miller given his past behavior, noting she feared "no one would believe her".
Rep. Miller’s Denials and Defamation Lawsuit
Rep. Miller has aggressively rejected all allegations of domestic violence, characterizing them as fabrications aimed at ruining his political career and securing leverage in their ongoing custody battle.
To counter the fallout, Miller filed a defamation lawsuit in Cuyahoga County against Moreno, alleging she orchestrated a public relations campaign including leaks to media outlets like The Daily Mail to damage his reputation and sabotage his re-election campaign.
