WASHINGTON — Attorneys for Rep. Max Miller confirmed their consumer fabricated testimony in courtroom paperwork and through a courtroom listening to to acquire a safety order in opposition to his ex-wife, prompting her attorneys to demand sanctions.
In February, Miller’s (R-Ohio) attorneys submitted a press release from the congressman claiming that his girlfriend was current throughout a Feb. 1 custody trade. At that assembly, Miller’s ex-wife, Emily Moreno — daughter of Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) — alleged that he grabbed her by the arm and shoved her in opposition to a wall.
“Unbeknownst to [Moreno], my girlfriend, J.A., was current inside my residence throughout the whole custody trade,” Miller declared within the notarized Feb. 27 assertion forcefully denying the abuse allegation.
“J.A. makes it a follow to stay out of sight at my residence throughout custody exchanges with [Moreno] as a consequence of [Moreno’s] unpredictable, irrational, unhinged, and confrontational conduct.”
Miller additional attested that his girlfriend “supplied statements to DCFS [Department of Children and Family Services] and a non-public investigator confirming that she was current at my residence on February 1 in the course of the custody trade” and that “she didn’t hear any commotion.”
Miller additionally pointed to surveillance footage, together with from a Ring doorbell system, which he claimed confirmed Moreno was “in a great temper and displaying no indicators of getting been the sufferer of any home violence.”
Throughout a courtroom listening to that very same day, Miller was requested whether or not that footage confirmed that his “girlfriend was current instantly previous the custody trade.”
“Sure,” the lawmaker replied.
Practically two weeks later, nevertheless, Miller’s attorneys contacted Moreno’s legal professionals by way of e-mail and knowledgeable them that “we discovered that [the girlfriend] was in truth unlikely current at Max’s residence in the course of the time of the kid trade.”
“We nonetheless, nevertheless, really feel the video-recorded trade demonstrates no altercation between Max and Emily.”
Miller’s attorneys didn’t reply questions from The Put up about how their consumer might have mistakenly positioned “J.A.” at his residence in the course of the custody trade.
The Put up has reviewed a few of the footage cited by Miller and his legal professionals. Within the Ring video, Moreno may be heard saying “bye” and Miller telling the couple’s two-year-old daughter “love you” as she departs along with his ex.
“[These] movies are from instantly after the Congressman allegedly abused Ms. Moreno. She is a liar,” Miller’s legal professional, Adam Brown, instructed The Put up.
“You’ll be able to see from this video that Ms. Moreno was underneath no misery in any respect; she was in an uplifted temper, telling their youngster to ‘say bye’ and that the Congressman is nothing however a loving father saying ‘I like you’ to each his daughter and his ex-wife on their means out of the door.”
On Monday, Moreno’s lawyer, Andrew Zashin, demanded Miller’s authorized group drop or amend the request for a safety order in opposition to Emily.
After Miller’s attorneys declined to take action, Zashin filed a movement on Wednesday demanding a courtroom sanction Miller’s legal professionals and award Moreno legal professional charges.
“Max Miller is attempting to weaponize the legislation to keep away from having his parenting rights diminished or terminated. He believes the very best protection is an effective offense. Max Miller will fail,” Zashin instructed The Put up.
“The Congressman’s civil home violence claims are meritless and solely designed to make use of as leverage in opposition to his ex-wife of their contested custody case.”
The authorized backstory
Miller had introduced a home violence case in opposition to his ex-wife in a bid to dam her from seeing their two-year-old daughter whereas separate custody litigation from their nasty divorce performs out.
A choose agreed to situation a safety order for Miller in opposition to Moreno, however concluded there was no proof “to situation an order to guard the minor youngster presently.”
Moreno’s group has claimed that the alleged Feb. 1 confrontation was the second time Miller had assaulted their consumer throughout a custody trade.
Emily Moreno individually filed a report back to the Cuyahoga County Division of Kids and Household Companies alleging the congressman precipitated their daughter to undergo damaged collarbone and bruised shoulder whereas he was watching her.
Within the separate custody battle, Moreno’s group made filings with considerations about their daughter’s , which she allegedly suffered whereas the congressman was watching her.
“That is actually exhausting,” Miller vented to The Put up when approached for remark. “I simply need what’s greatest for my daughter. Please cease giving my beforehand identified bipolar ex-wife a lot consideration. You all want to maneuver on.”
Miller, who was elected to the Home in 2022, served in a number of roles in the course of the first Trump administration, together with as affiliate director of the Presidential Personnel Workplace, and particular assistant to the president.
Miller, 37, tied the knot with Moreno in 2022 at Trump Nationwide Golf Membership Bedminster in New jersey. They cut up in 2024, and Miller agreed to pay $2,500 in month-to-month youngster help.
