Campaign Ad Targeting Rep. Max Miller Aired Despite Cease‑and‑Desist; Stations Cite FCC Rules

Rep. Max Miller (R-Ohio) warned television stations he would pursue legal action after a 30‑second campaign ad repeating domestic‑abuse allegations from his ex‑wife was aired by several Cleveland stations despite a cease‑and‑desist letter.

Miller's attorney, Alejandro Brito, sent the notice Thursday to WKYC over an ad produced by Democrat Brian Poindexter's campaign and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. The spot features a local sheriff reading abuse allegations made by Miller's ex‑wife, Emily Moreno, the daughter of state Sen. Bernie Moreno (R‑Ohio). WKYC ran the ad Tuesday morning; WEWS, WJW and WOIO also aired the commercial.

What Miller's Team Says

Miller and his lawyer called the ad "false, malicious, and defamatory." The cease‑and‑desist letter cites a February domestic violence civil protection order Miller obtained against Emily Moreno and a July 8 affidavit in which Miller swore that "Each allegation of physical abuse [Emily] Moreno has made against me is false." The letter also references Cuyahoga County Division of Children and Family Services investigations that it says found the allegations against Miller unsubstantiated and concluded others had physically abused his daughter.

"The ad mentioned is filled with lies," said Miller spokesperson Abigail Angelos. "Each of the statements in the advertisement are entirely unsubstantiated and contradicted by evidence."

Stations, Regulators and Political Reaction

Station officials said they reviewed the ad before airing it. WEWS said its legal team evaluated the commercial and noted that Federal Communications Commission rules limit broadcasters' ability to censor political ads purchased by candidates, a common reason stations run paid political spots even amid legal disputes.

Poindexter, the Democratic challenger for Ohio's 7th Congressional District, posted a video of himself tearing up the cease‑and‑desist letter. DCCC spokesperson Riya Vashi criticized Miller, saying he had "resorted to the same playbook he's used his whole life — deploying his money and fancy lawyers to make his problems go away."

National Republican Congressional Committee spokesman Zach Bannon fired back, calling Poindexter "completely out of touch with Northeast Ohio" and accusing him of embracing a "radical far‑left" agenda.

Legal Status

To date, Miller has not been criminally charged in connection with the allegations cited in the ad or the cease‑and‑desist letter. The dispute centers on competing claims and public messaging as the November election approaches.

Reporting note: The article summarizes statements and legal filings from both campaigns, public records cited in the cease‑and‑desist letter, station statements about editorial review, and reactions from party spokespeople.