Custody Dispute Involving Rep. Max Miller Delayed

WASHINGTON — The custody trial involving Congressman Max Miller and his former wife, Emily Moreno, has been postponed until next year. The delay follows protests from Miller’s attorneys regarding an expert’s PTSD assessment of Moreno, attributed to alleged abuse by Miller.

The trial was initially slated for November 5, soon after Miller’s election loss to Democrat Brian Poindexter. Both sides had earlier agreed on a psychological evaluation of Moreno, who accused Miller of physical abuse. However, Moreno’s team later introduced a second expert without prior notification to Miller’s attorneys, who had not requested a witness list earlier.

Miller, who was defeated despite running in a district previously won by Trump, faces serious abuse allegations linked to the custody battle over their daughter. Moreno’s team argued that Miller’s failure to participate in the discovery process warranted the introduction of the second expert. This expert found that Moreno’s PTSD resulted from Miller’s abuse and dismissed claims of her having bipolar disorder.

Judge Debra Boros refused Miller’s request to disregard the assessment. Instead, she allowed his team additional time to seek another expert witness. The trial is now set for May 2027.

The custody dispute also involves concerns about a collarbone injury sustained by the couple’s daughter in February, along with a bruise possibly indicative of abuse. Additionally, Moreno reported the child made a threatening statement attributed to Miller. Despite these allegations, Miller has denied any wrongdoing and has not faced charges from the Cuyahoga County Division of Children and Family Services.

Further complicating the situation, Moreno has raised issues of alleged drug use and erratic behavior by Miller, who has a history of abuse accusations from former White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham. Miller previously settled a defamation lawsuit against Grisham before it went to trial.

As part of the ongoing legal battle, Miller has also initiated a defamation lawsuit against Moreno regarding her abuse claims.