COLUMBUS, Ohio - The acrimonious divorce of an Ohio congressman and his ex-wife, daughter of a U.S. senator from the state, has intensified with a fresh round of litigation.

GOP U.S. Rep. Max Miller launched a defamation lawsuit Wednesday in Cleveland against Emily Moreno, his former wife, claiming her statements portraying him as "a violent and abusive husband and father" inflicted severe reputational and financial damage.

The two-term lawmaker, facing reelection this fall, accuses Moreno, her lawyer Andrew Zashin, and his firm of orchestrating a smear campaign by leaking false details to outlets like The Daily Mail and New York Post. He argues the coverage jeopardizes his political future.

With audiences reaching tens of millions across print and digital platforms, the stories have reached Miller's voters, fellow lawmakers, supporters, donors, journalists, and the wider public, according to the filing.

Miller demands over $25,000 in compensatory damages, punitive awards to prevent repeats, and coverage of legal costs.

"Congressman Miller aims to make the perpetrators answer for the profound personal, professional, and political injuries he has endured," his spokesperson stated.

Zashin offered no comment.

This echoes a prior episode during Miller's 2021 congressional bid, when ex-girlfriend and former Trump press secretary Stephanie Grisham alleged physical abuse in her book and a Washington Post piece. Miller sued her for defamation but dropped the case with prejudice in August 2023, ahead of trial.

Moreno's representative, Stefan Mychajliw, referenced that suit in Thursday remarks.

"Mr. Miller is frustrated after failing to muzzle Emily Moreno like he did Stephanie Grisham - but Emily refuses to be silenced," he declared, alluding to Miller recycling tactics against a woman armed with photos of her injuries. "Mr. Miller will not silence Ms. Moreno."

The couple wed in 2022 and welcomed a daughter in 2023.

Miller initiated divorce proceedings in August 2024, as Moreno's father, Bernie, secured a Trump-endorsed U.S. Senate seat. Abuse claims - including a recent assertion that Miller scalded her with boiling water, which he refutes - surface amid a contentious custody fight involving his restraining order request against her and a subpoena for the senator's testimony. The divorce concluded last June.

Miller's team shared records showing child abuse claims against him were probed by Cuyahoga County Children and Family Services and ruled unfounded.

In the midst of the turmoil, Democrat Brian Poindexter, a veteran councilman and union ironworker, seeks to unseat Miller and turn Ohio's 7th District blue this November.