Ex-wife of Ohio Rep. Max Miller files for a restraining order against him, claims Miller’s lawyer said he ‘just can’t control himself’
Emily Moreno, the ex-wife of Ohio Republican Rep. Max Miller and daughter of Ohio Sen. Bernie Moreno, filed a new request for a restraining order against Miller.
The filing in Cuyahoga County alleges Miller will “continue to harass, threaten and communicate” directly with her attorney. It also cites remarks allegedly made by Miller’s defense attorney, Larry Zukerman, during a July 28 hearing, saying his client “just can’t control himself.”
The filing and what it alleges
According to Moreno’s affidavit, Miller “physically touched my counsel without consent” during an encounter involving her attorney Andrew Zashin.
“After Plaintiff placed his hands on Attorney Andrew Zashin, I told Plaintiff, ‘Get your hands off of him,’” Moreno wrote.
The filing also alleges Miller “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.”
CNN reported that Moreno’s attorney asked a judge to issue the restraining order after alleging Miller grabbed him and another attorney’s bag outside an Ohio courtroom following Tuesday’s hearing.
The filing further alleges the incident was the second time Miller confronted Moreno’s attorneys after court proceedings. It claims that during an earlier encounter in May, Miller made a crude comment about one attorney’s fiancée.
A judge had not ruled on the request. Attorneys for both Moreno and Miller did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Statements from both sides
Reagan McCarthy, communications director for Sen. Bernie Moreno, told Newsweek in an email:
“Senator Moreno’s top priority is the safety and well-being of his daughter and granddaughter. 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.”
Miller’s spokeswoman, Abigail Angelos, rejected the allegations.
“If there were credible evidence supporting these outrageous accusations, that simply would not be the case,” she wrote, adding that “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.”
Congressional response
Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., called for an investigation on Wednesday, July 29.
“The allegations against Max Miller are horrific. They must be investigated and if true, he should resign immediately,” Mace said.
The Democratic Women’s Caucus also urged the House Committee on Ethics to investigate.
“The recent reports of domestic violence and child abuse against Representative Max Miller are deeply disturbing and Congress can’t ignore them… We therefore call on the House Committee on Ethics to swiftly and thoroughly investigate these allegations,” the group said in a statement.
Background on the abuse allegations
Citing court filings and police interviews, The New York Times reported that Moreno accused Miller of throwing hot water from a skillet at her, holding a gun to her head, pushing her against a wall and fracturing their daughter’s collarbone.
Miller has denied the allegations, arguing Moreno repeatedly made false reports to child protective authorities and claiming their daughter’s injury resulted from Moreno’s driving.