Max Miller

BRUNSWICK, Ohio -- A rally involving embattled U.S. Rep. Max Miller was canceled last week after organizers cited unspecified security concerns, but local law enforcement said they were not made aware of any threats surrounding the event.

Miller, who is seeking reelection this fall in Ohio’s 7th Congressional District, was slated to appear Monday with fellow Republican U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna of Florida at Mapleside Farms, an apple farm and event venue in Brunswick. The rally was meant to promote the federal SAVE Act, which would require Americans to show proof of citizenship when registering to vote and a photo ID when casting a ballot.

Shannon Burns, chairman of the Strongsville GOP, said in a statement Friday that after consulting with law enforcement and the venue, “the number and nature of the threats received” made the gathering “untenable.”

“Let that sink in: In the United States of America, threats and intimidation have succeeded in shutting down a peaceful political gathering focused on election integrity and ensuring that only American citizens vote,” the statement from Burns read.

However, local law enforcement officials responsible for the city and county jurisdictions that cover Mapleside Farms said they were not contacted about any threats surrounding the event.

In emailed statements, both Brunswick Division of Police Chief Robert Safran and Medina County Sheriff Terry Grice told cleveland.com/The Plain Dealer that their departments had no knowledge of any threats.

“The Division of Police has not received or been made aware of any threats surrounding the event,” Safran said in an email.

Asked about the discrepancy between the organizers’ explanation for canceling the rally and the lack of communication with law enforcement regarding security threats, Burns directed cleveland.com/The Plain Dealer to Miller’s staff for questions about conversations with law enforcement and the nature of the threats.

Cleveland.com/The Plain Dealer sought comment from Miller’s staff but did not receive a response. Mapleside Farms was also contacted.

The canceled event comes as the Bay Village Republican has been engulfed in controversy while seeking another term in his district, which covers southern and western Cuyahoga County, northern Wayne County, and all of Medina and Ashland counties.

Miller’s ex-wife, Emily Moreno, has accused him of physical and emotional abuse during their marriage and their custody dispute over their two-year-old daughter. She also has accused him of taking illegal drugs. Miller has denied every allegation and has not been criminally charged.

The U.S. House Ethics Committee last week announced that it is investigating allegations that Miller “may have engaged in domestic violence and abuse or illegal drug use.” In a post on social media, Miller said he filed the paperwork seeking the ethics investigation to “clear” his name.

Multiple Republicans called on Miller to leave the race and resign from Congress, including both of Ohio’s Republican Senators, Sen. Bernie Moreno, Emily’s father, and Sen. Jon Husted. However, Miller will remain on the November ballot after the deadline to withdraw passed on Monday, Aug. 10.