Several Cleveland-area television stations aired a campaign advertisement from Democratic challenger Brian Poindexter on Tuesday despite a legal threat from Rep. Max Miller's attorney.

Miller, the Republican incumbent in Ohio's 7th Congressional District, and his lawyer Alejandro Brito sent a cease-and-desist letter last week to station executives. The letter described the ad as containing "false, malicious, and defamatory statements" about domestic abuse allegations made by Miller's ex-wife, Emily Moreno.

Stations including WKYC-TV, WEWS-TV, WJW-TV, and WOIO-TV proceeded to air the 30-second spot anyway. In the ad, a local sheriff references a restraining order against Miller and accuses him of abusing Moreno, holding a gun to her head, and breaking their two-year-old daughter's collarbone. The sheriff concludes that Miller does not belong in power.

Brito's letter argued that the claims are unsubstantiated and contradicted by evidence. It noted that Miller obtained a protection order against Moreno in February and that child protective services investigations found the abuse allegations against him unsubstantiated. No criminal charges have been filed against Miller related to the claims.

Poindexter responded by sharing the letter on social media and ripping it up in a video. He accused Miller of trying to suppress facts about his personal life through legal threats.

The advertisement comes amid an ongoing custody dispute and legal battle between Miller and Moreno, the daughter of Sen. Bernie Moreno. Miller filed a defamation lawsuit against his ex-wife and her legal team in May, alleging a campaign to damage his reputation and reelection prospects. He has denied all abuse allegations under oath.