Rep. Max Miller (R-OH) is threatening to sue a Cleveland TV station to block his Democratic opponent's ad about the domestic abuse allegations against him, Politico reported Monday.
Miller's attorney, Alejandro Brito, who has also represented President Donald Trump, sent WKYC a cease-and-desist letter Thursday demanding the station stop publishing what he called "false, malicious, and defamatory statements." Failure to comply, Brito warned, 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."
Miller, who denies the allegations, is accused by his ex-wife, Emily Moreno, daughter of Ohio Sen. Bernie Moreno, of throwing hot water on her, holding a gun to her head and breaking their toddler daughter's collarbone. He has not been criminally charged.
Democratic challenger Brian Poindexter's 30-second ad is a "major escalation," Politico reported, and features a local sheriff running through the allegations before declaring, "34 years in law enforcement tells me: Max Miller does not belong in power." Poindexter had spent most of the race touting his working-class roots instead of Miller's troubles until now.
In a fundraising video ripping up Miller's letter, Poindexter didn't flinch.
"He's threatening to sue because he doesn't want people to hear the facts. Here are the facts," he said. "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," the Democrat accused.
The report adds, "Miller is not on the House Republican campaign arm’s 'Patriots' list which features the most vulnerable members who typically get the bulk of its spending. However, recent polling suggests a tight race between Miller and Poindexter, and national campaign brass has taken notice."
