Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-OH) stated on Sunday that his former son-in-law, Rep. Max Miller (R-OH), is unfit to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives due to allegations of domestic abuse. Miller, who is currently seeking reelection, denied the claims during a social media livestream and announced his intention to remain in his congressional race.
The public exchange follows a series of legal filings stemming from the divorce and custody dispute between Miller and Moreno’s daughter, Emily Moreno. The couple was married from 2022 to 2025 and currently shares joint custody of their daughter. Recent court documents include requests for restraining orders and allegations of physical altercations involving legal counsel and family members.
Emily Moreno has alleged in court papers and police reports that Miller committed several acts of violence, including pointing a firearm at her in 2023, throwing hot water at her in 2024, and causing their daughter to suffer a fractured bone during a custody exchange. Miller categorized these claims as "unsubstantiated" and released an April letter from county investigators that closed an inquiry into the alleged injury to his daughter without charges. Miller alleged that the claims are a political attempt to influence the custody battle.
The scale of the dispute extends to the legal and law enforcement systems in Ohio, where multiple police reports and court filings have been processed. The allegations involve specific claims of injury to a minor and the use of a firearm, which, if proven in a court of law, carry significant legal penalties under state and federal statutes. For the individuals involved, the case centers on the safety and custody arrangements for one child and the enforcement of restraining orders that dictate where and how the parties may interact.
Knock-on effects include the potential for increased scrutiny of congressional ethics rules and the precedent for how political parties handle internal disputes between members. A spokesperson for Emily Moreno stated that they are confident justice will prevail in court, while Miller has suggested the matter is being used to distract from other political issues. The next steps in the legal process include hearings regarding the requested restraining orders and continued litigation in the custody case. No trial date for the civil allegations has been publicly scheduled.