Votewiser 119th Congress News Hub

Congress Member

Max Miller

Republican

Ohio state flag Ohio

Latest Coverage

See all articles
Image for Wife Files New Restraining Order—List of Reasons Why
via: newsweek.com

Wife Files New Restraining Order—List of Reasons Why

The ex-wife of embattled Ohio Representative Max Miller filed a restraining order against the lawmaker Thursday, alleging the Republican will "continue to harass, threaten and communicate" with her attorney directly, court filings show.

Emily Moreno, Miller's former spouse and daughter of Republican Ohio Senator Bernie Moreno, requested the restraining order in Cuyahoga County amid allegations of prior domestic abuse, which Miller has vehemently denied.

Read More on News

The new filing claims attorney Larry Zukerman, who represents Miller, said during a hearing Tuesday that the lawmaker “just can’t control himself,” Moreno said in court papers.

"Plaintiff has harassed, threatened and communicated directly with my counsel at Zashin Law LLC as well as my previous counsel, attorney Vince Stafford and attorney Jill Helfman," the filing continued. "Plaintiff physically touched my counsel without consent."

After Miller placed his hands on attorney Andrew Zashin during Tuesday's proceedings, Moreno told him, "Get your hands off of him," according to the filing.

"Unless restrained, plaintiff will continue to harass, threaten and communicate with my counsel directly," the filing reads.

Miller, 37, faces revived scrutiny following new claims this week of alleged abuse during his marriage, including accusations that he threatened Moreno with a firearm and physically assaulted her.

A judge had yet to approve or deny Moreno's request as of early Thursday evening. Attorneys for Moreno and Miller did not immediately return requests for comment. Staff for Senator Moreno, meanwhile, acknowledged the new filing in a statement on Thursday:

"Senator Moreno’s top priority is the safety and well-being of his daughter and granddaughter," Moreno's communications director, Reagan McCarthy, told Newsweek in an email. "While he will not litigate these matters in the media or respond to baseless public attacks, he will do whatever it takes to ensure a just outcome for his family."

A spokesperson for Miller, who has claimed the allegations are politically motivated and mired in an ongoing custody battle for his 2-year-old daughter, did not return a message seeking a response to Thursday's filing, but noted Wednesday that a judge has continued to grant joint custody of the child.

"If there were credible evidence supporting these outrageous accusations, that simply would not be the case," Miller's spokeswoman, Abigail Angelos, wrote in an email. "Congressman Miller will continue to vigorously defend his reputation against false and reckless allegations designed to inflame public opinion rather than reflect reality. This narrative has gone on long enough."

South Carolina Representative Nancy Mace, a fellow Republican, called for an investigation into Miller on Wednesday amid the swirling domestic abuse accusations. Mace had previously helped lead a push for accountability in Congress' handling of sexual misconduct accusations leveled against lawmakers.

"The allegations against Max Miller are horrific," Mace said in a statement. "They must be investigated, and if true, he should resign immediately."

The Democratic Women's Caucus has also called on the House Committee on Ethics to immediately investigate Miller.

"The recent reports of domestic violence and child abuse against Representative Max Miller are deeply disturbing and Congress can't ignore them," the coalition said in a statement Thursday. "Allegations of violence against women and children have to be met with the utmost seriousness. We therefore call on the House Committee on Ethics to swiftly and thoroughly investigate these allegations. Every woman and child deserves to live free from fear of violence, especially within the sanctity of their own home, and we will not stop fighting until that's the reality.”

Citing court filings and police interviews, The New York Times reported Tuesday that Moreno also alleged Miller once threw hot water from a skillet at her, held a gun to her head, pushed her against a wall and fractured their daughter's collarbone.

Miller, in turn, had alleged Moreno made "repeated false reports" to child protective workers and claimed his daughter's injury had been caused by Moreno's driving, the Times reported.