Allegations against U.S. Rep. Max Miller that were first reported by the Akron Beacon Journal in June have made national headlines.
The New York Times has again brought to light the domestic abuse allegations Emily Moreno made against Miller, her ex-husband.
Miller has denied ever physically abusing Moreno or any other woman.
“Absolutely not,” Miller said during a half-hour interview with the Akron Beacon Journal on June 2. “Talk to anyone who knows me. Anyone who knows me would say the same thing.”
Who is Emily Moreno?
Moreno is the daughter of U.S. Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio.
What are the Max Miller allegations?
Moreno alleges Miller abused her during and after their three-year marriage.
Moreno told Bay Village police earlier this year that Miller threw hot water on her, burning her, and threw her against a wall during a custody exchange. She didn’t request a police investigation, and Miller wasn’t charged.
Photos Moreno took of her alleged injuries appeared in The Daily Mail, a British tabloid, and in a recent court filing.
In January 2024, on New Year’s Eve, she said their daughter, who was sleeping in a bassinet in their room, was crying and that angered Miller. While she changed the sobbing girl’s diaper, she said Miller held a gun on her, according to police reports.
Miller suing Moreno for defamation
Miller has denied Moreno’s accusations and is suing her for defamation in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court. Moreno’s attorneys filed a request for dismissal, claiming Miller’s lawsuit falls under Ohio’s new anti-SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation) law that protects people from being sued when they are speaking about matters of public interest.
Miller, Moreno fighting for custody of daughter
Miller filed for divorce in August 2024 and has recently been locked in a heated battle with his ex-wife over custody of their daughter. He claims Moreno suffers from a mental illness and that this has fueled her false abuse allegations against him.
Moreno’s attorneys deny she is mentally ill and have questioned why Miller agreed to give her primary custody of their daughter if he believed she was unstable. Miller and Moreno agreed to joint custody in their divorce, but each are now seeking sole custody.
Max Miller and Bernie Moreno
Miller said he didn’t get along with Bernie Moreno, Emily’s father, because their politics didn’t align, though both are Republicans who have been endorsed by President Donald Trump.
Max Miller and Donald Trump
Miller and Moreno got married at Donald Trump’s Bedminster golf club in August 2022; the president was present at the ceremony.
Miller worked in Trump’s administration as a political appointee during his first term. When Miller first ran for Congress in November 2022, Trump endorsed him and he won.
Ex-girlfriend also accuses Max Miller of abuse
Stephanie Grisham, a fellow staffer in Trump’s first administration, wrote a tell-all book called “I’ll Take Your Questions Now: What I Saw at the Trump White House” that was released in October 2021.
In the book, she mentioned a former boyfriend who had been abusive and confirmed she was talking about Miller in a CNN interview, according to court records.
Miller sued Grisham for defamation in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court, denying her abuse allegations and saying the claims were retaliation for their failed relationship and an attempt to sell more books.
Grisham claimed in court documents that Miller assaulted her in his Washington D.C. apartment in 2020. She said he became more erratic and angrier toward the end of their relationship.
Miller dismissed the lawsuit in August 2023.
Who is Brian Poindexter?
Miller faces competition from Democratic challenger Brian Poindexter in November to hold onto his 7th District seat in Northeast Ohio.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: New York Times puts U.S. Rep Max Miller allegations back in spotlight
Reporting by Stephanie Warsmith and Lauren J. Young, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Stephanie Warsmith and Lauren J. Young, Akron Beacon Journal | USA TODAY Network
