Emily Moreno filed a motion on Wednesday seeking the dismissal of a defamation lawsuit brought earlier this month by her ex-husband, Rep. Max Miller (R-OH).Moreno, the daughter of Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-OH), had claimed Miller threw scalding water at her in front of their young daughter in 2024. She made the domestic abuse allegations to news outlets, including the Daily Mail. Moreno also alleged he hit her during a custody exchange involving their two-year-old child in February.Miller denied the allegations and sued his ex-wife for defamation in state court, insisting he was falsely accused of “being a violent and abusive husband and father.” The May 13 complaint said that Miller is seeking at least $25,000 in damages.
The defendant’s lawyers moved to dismiss the complaint under a new Ohio law that protects citizens from lawsuits designed to silence free speech on matters of public concern.
“Accusations of abuse against a congressman/congressional candidate are matters of public concern—and are protected speech within UPEPA’s scope,” the new motion states, referencing the Uniform Public Expression Protection Act.
Her attorneys argued the defamation complaint is invalid because Ohio’s one-year statute of limitations had expired. They say the statute of limitations was triggered when their client defamed the plaintiff, not when her words were published in recent news reports.
