A Westlake physician at the center of a high-profile highway dust-up with U.S. Rep. Max Miller has pleaded guilty to misdemeanor and traffic-related charges, then turned around and sued the congressman for defamation the very same day. The move effectively closes out the criminal side of a confrontation on Interstate 90 last June that was captured on cellphone video and in a 911 call. The court ordered the doctor to serve a year of probation and perform community service, while a short jail sentence was suspended.
What police say happened
On June 19, 2025, Miller called 911 and reported that another driver lay on his horn, tried to run him off the road, and shouted threats aimed at him and his family, according to AP. Local TV outlets later aired video showing the other driver recording Miller and displaying a Palestinian flag during the exchange, as reported by WOIO/Cleveland 19.
Plea, sentence and the defamation suit
The doctor, identified in court records as Feras Hamdan of Westlake, pleaded guilty to obstructing official business, reckless driving, and disorderly conduct. He was sentenced to one year of probation, 100 hours of community service, and an 86-day suspended jail term, with four days credited, according to Cleveland.com. The same outlet reports that Hamdan has also filed a civil defamation lawsuit against U.S. Rep. Max Miller, setting up a fresh legal battle in civil court just as the criminal case winds down.
Lawyers spar and possible counterclaims
Miller’s attorney, Larry Zukerman, told Cleveland.com that “the guilty plea speaks for itself” and said the congressman’s team plans to seek a counterclaim alleging antisemitic conduct. Hamdan’s lawyer, Peter Pattakos, said his client “regrets having to plead to any criminal charges” and characterized the plea agreement as too favorable to reject, according to the outlet. Zukerman also said he hopes the Ohio Medical Board will review Hamdan’s conduct.
What’s next
The road-rage case initially led to a Cuyahoga County grand jury indictment that charged Hamdan with ethnic intimidation, tampering with evidence, menacing, and aggravated menacing, according to a press release from the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office. Miller, who served in the Trump White House and was first elected in 2022, continues to represent Ohio’s 7th District while running for re-election, according to Max Miller's congressional office. The defamation lawsuit, and any counterclaims that may follow, are likely to move more slowly as the parties sort through discovery, pretrial motions, and the possibility that professional licensing bodies could open separate reviews.
