Max Miller’s Ex-Wife Abuse Allegations Take Center Stage in Congressional Race Attack Ad

Trump-backed Republican Congressman Max Miller is facing mounting legal and political pressure as he fights to retain his seat.

Miller’s re-election campaign has taken a sharply negative turn after his Democratic challenger, Brian Poindexter, released a political advertisement spotlighting abuse allegations made against Miller by his former wife, Emily Moreno.

The ad features a female police officer who says she has spent “thirty-four years in law enforcement” as she lists allegations against Miller, many of which were first reported by Our News Outlet. The spot ends with her declaring, “Max Miller does not belong in power.”

Miller has vehemently denied every abuse allegation made by Moreno.

The contest has become more competitive as the allegations have continued to draw attention. On August 10, the Cook Political Report changed its assessment of the race from “likely Republican” to “toss up.”

Miller’s attorney, Alejandro Brito, has demanded that Ohio news station WKYC remove the advertisement, describing its claims as “false, malicious, and defamatory” in a cease-and-desist letter obtained by Politico.

Poindexter answered the demand in a separate video, saying, “Max Miller is threatening to sue because he doesn’t want people to hear the facts.”

“His family says they hold their breath every minute he has custody of his child,” Poindexter added.

“Max Miller has used his money and fancy lawyers to get himself out of trouble his whole life. Not this time,” Poindexter said. His campaign has also urged supporters to donate so the advertisement can remain on air.

Ohio Republican Senator Bernie Moreno, Emily’s father, broke months of silence in August when he called for his former son-in-law to resign, arguing that Miller should not remain in public office.

“He is a danger to my daughter, and I hold my breath every minute he has custody of my granddaughter,” Bernie Moreno said.

Miller has also faced allegations from former White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham, who was previously his girlfriend.

Miller sued Grisham for defamation in late 2021 over her abuse claims. The case later ended with a confidential settlement that included a mutual non-disparagement agreement.

The Daily Mail first reported Moreno’s abuse allegations against Miller in May, publishing photographs of injuries she said resulted from him throwing scalding water at her.

Although Miller has rejected Moreno’s abuse allegations, he later acknowledged using illegal drugs.

Moreno accused Miller of drug use in a private collection of audio recordings involving the two, which Miller himself released.

Moreno said the alleged drug use was the “impetus” for her decision to end their marriage. Miller denied using drugs in the recordings.

But he later admitted to taking testosterone therapy to CNN’s Jake Tapper.

The admission came when Tapper asked about photographs of needles that Moreno took, allegedly by Miller’s bedside, that Our News Outlet first published. 

In his lengthy video, Miller also levied an accusation that Moreno ‘has struggled with significant mental health challenges.’ Her spokesperson fought back against the claims.

Miller has also been called to resign and drop out of his congressional race by Ohio’s other GOP Senator John Husted, who is in a tough re-election fight of his own this fall.

‘I believe Max would be making the right decision to step aside as a candidate and resign from Congress to focus on what is in the best interest of his daughter,’ Husted noted back in August. 

He did not drop out of the race, and instead doubled down on his innocence. 

Neither Miller’s lawyer nor his political campaign responded to Our News Outlet’s requests for comment.