The House Ethics Committee announced Tuesday that it has opened an investigation into Republican Rep. Max Miller of Ohio over allegations that he may have engaged in domestic violence, abuse or illegal drug use, escalating scrutiny of the second-term congressman as he seeks reelection.
The committee disclosed it will review whether Miller “engaged in domestic violence and abuse or illegal drug use,” but emphasized that the announcement does not indicate any violation has occurred or reflect a conclusion on the allegations.
The announcement came shortly after Miller said he intended to request the investigation himself, saying he wanted the committee to examine the allegations and clear his name.
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“I have nothing to hide,” Miller wrote in a post on X. “We will be providing the committee all necessary documents needed for a detail(ed) examination. The accusations continue to change, but my facts stay the same. I am looking forward to my colleagues reading everything for themselves.”
Allegations stem from divorce and custody dispute
Miller has strongly denied allegations made by his ex-wife, Emily Moreno, during an ongoing divorce and child custody battle involving the couple’s 2-year-old daughter.
The accusations became public earlier this year and gained renewed attention after Mother Jones reported in July on court records in which Moreno told investigators that Miller had been abusive and may have been responsible for their daughter’s broken collarbone.
According to those reports, Moreno alleged Miller threw scalding water at her, pushed her during an argument and pointed a firearm at her head. Miller has denied the allegations.
Bernie Moreno publicly condemns former son-in-law
Ohio Sen. Bernie Moreno, Emily Moreno’s father, intensified criticism of his former son-in-law this week after previously declining to comment publicly.
Speaking with reporters Tuesday, the Republican senator said his daughter “lives in constant fear” of Miller.
“Deeply in her heart, she fears what this guy is capable of,” Moreno said, according to CBS News.
Moreno described meeting Miller at a police station to exchange custody of his granddaughter, saying Miller allegedly refused to return the child’s favorite stuffed animal, leaving the toddler distressed.
“This is the level of total and complete depravity,” Moreno said.
On Sunday, Moreno called for Miller to leave Congress, saying the congressman “needs serious psychological help” and should no longer serve in the House.
Documents spark additional controversy
Miller has mounted an aggressive public defense, including hosting a 20-minute livestream on X denying the allegations and vowing to remain in the 2026 race for Ohio’s 7th Congressional District.
He also released a Dropbox folder containing documents he said supported his version of events.
However, Politico reported Tuesday that some of those files inadvertently included sensitive photographs of the couple’s young daughter.
According to the report, Miller’s attorney accepted responsibility for the disclosure and apologized to Emily Moreno.
Bernie Moreno condemned the release, arguing the distribution of the images could constitute a felony.
“Now you have hundreds of thousands of psychotic human beings that have that,” Moreno said. “To say, ‘Oops’ is grotesque.”
Investigation moves forward
The Ethics Committee has not provided a timeline for its investigation.
Under House rules, the opening of an investigation does not imply wrongdoing, and lawmakers remain presumed innocent unless the committee concludes otherwise.
Miller has maintained that he will continue his reelection campaign while cooperating with the investigation.
