Full Breakdown
Rep. Max Miller sued over alleged release of nude photo of his daughter
8/13/2026, 12:19:15 PM
The Lawsuit and Alleged Disclosure
Emily Moreno, ex-wife of Rep. Max Miller (R-Ohio), filed a federal civil-rights lawsuit in Ohio on Wednesday. The filing says Miller posted a Dropbox link on his X account after an August 2 livestream in which he denied abuse allegations. The folder allegedly contained a photograph of the child showing “her genitalia.” Moreno seeks statutory damages of $150,000 for each download or transfer and compensation for “pain and suffering” and “emotional distress.”
Background & Context
Miller and Moreno divorced in 2023 and are in a contentious custody battle. Moreno has alleged physical abuse by Miller; he has denied the accusations and remains in the race for Ohio’s 7th congressional district despite calls from several Republicans, including his former father-in-law Sen. Bernie Moreno, for him to resign. The House Ethics Committee opened an investigation in early August.
Data & Statistics
- The lawsuit states the Dropbox link generated more than 400,000 combined views before the folder was removed.
- The image was publicly accessible for about 23 hours.
- The complaint requests $150,000 in damages for each disclosure or transfer of the image.
Official Statements & Responses
- Sen. Bernie Moreno publicly called for Miller to resign, saying Miller “needs serious psychological help” and is “a danger to my daughter.”
Criticism & Opposition
Sen. Bernie Moreno, a Republican from Ohio, has joined other GOP members in urging Miller to step down, arguing that the alleged release endangers the child and reflects a lack of fitness for office. His statements highlight intra-party disagreement over Miller’s candidacy.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the nature of the image. The complaint and several outlets describe it as a nude picture depicting the child’s genitalia, while Miller and his attorney Aaron Minc maintain it was a shirtless image without exposed genitals. No court has yet ruled on whether the image meets the legal definition of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). The exact number of downloads remains unknown; the lawsuit cites $150,000 per download but does not provide a verified count.
Verbatim Quotes
- “This child is an entirely innocent victim who has become collateral damage to her father’s political ambition,” — Subodh Chandra, Emily Moreno’s attorney
- “I am truly sorry and deeply regret the error,” — Aaron Minc, his attorney
What’s Next
The federal lawsuit will proceed in the Northern District of Ohio, where a judge must determine whether Miller and Minc violated federal and Ohio statutes. The House Ethics Committee’s investigation remains ongoing, with no findings released at the time of writing. Both the civil case and the ethics probe could influence Miller’s standing in the November midterm election.
