Ohio Republican Rep. Max Miller is threatening legal action against a Cleveland television station over a campaign ad that includes domestic abuse allegations made by his Democratic challenger.
Miller’s attorney, Alejandro Brito, sent a cease-and-desist letter Thursday to Cleveland-area station WKYC demanding it stop airing what he called “false, malicious, and defamatory statements” in the ad.
Brito, who has also represented President Donald Trump, warned that failure to comply would leave Miller “no choice but to pursue any and all legal rights and remedies available to recover damages for the overwhelming financial and reputational harm.”
The cease-and-desist letter was shared with Politico by the campaign of Miller’s Democratic challenger, Brian Poindexter, who authorized the ad in question.
Poindexter’s 30-second spot has been described as a “major escalation” in the Ohio congressional race and features a local sheriff reading through a list of abuse allegations against Miller.
The sheriff in the ad states: “34 years in law enforcement tells me: Max Miller does not belong in power.”
The allegations in the ad include accusations from Miller’s ex-wife, Emily Moreno, who is the daughter of Ohio Sen. Bernie Moreno, that Miller poured hot water on her, held a gun to her head, and broke his two-year-old daughter’s collarbone.
Miller has previously denied all abuse accusations and has not been criminally charged in connection with any of the allegations.
Poindexter responded defiantly to the legal threat, saying, “He’s threatening to sue because he doesn’t want people to hear the facts. Here are the facts.”
Poindexter continued: “Max Miller has been accused of abuse by three women… Max Miller used his money and fancy lawyers to get himself out of his trouble his whole life. Not this time.”
Miller does not currently appear on the House Republican campaign arm’s “Patriots” list, which identifies the most vulnerable incumbents and typically directs the bulk of its financial support to those members.
Recent polling, however, suggests the race between Miller and Poindexter is competitive, and national Republican campaign leadership has begun paying closer attention to the district.
The legal threat introduces a new and contentious dimension to what is shaping up to be one of the more closely watched House races heading into the election cycle.
