Missouri Man Discovers He’s Listed as Plaintiff in $4 Billion L.A. County Sex Abuse Settlement

Melvin Dunlap, a 30-year-old fashion stylist from Missouri, was shocked to discover his name was being used in what he claims is a fraudulent lawsuit as part of Los Angeles County’s record-breaking $4 billion juvenile detention sex abuse settlement.

Dunlap insists he has never been detained in a juvenile facility, never visited L.A. County’s detention centers, and has never experienced sexual abuse – despite being listed as plaintiff “JOHN DOE M.D.” in court documents claiming he was “physically assaulted, sexually harassed and abused” by staff at a Los Angeles detention center in Boyle Heights when he was 15.

“I can put my hand on a Bible and say ‘I ain’t ever been abused sexually,'” Dunlap told reporters, providing evidence of his attempts to report the matter to the State Bar last July.

The lawsuit was filed October 15, 2024, by Downtown LA Law Group (DTLA), a firm currently under investigation by the district attorney, State Bar, and county officials. Nine of the firm’s clients told The Times last year they were paid to file sex abuse claims, some admittedly fraudulent. DTLA has subsequently requested dismissal for at least three of these lawsuits.

The firm has consistently denied any wrongdoing, stating its lawyers “operate with unwavering integrity, prioritizing client welfare.” A spokesperson said DTLA rejects most potential cases and could not discuss specific clients due to attorney-client privilege constraints, adding that “no one in the firm to our knowledge has coerced its clients or anyone else to sign anything.”

Dunlap’s unusual connection to DTLA began years earlier with legitimate personal injury cases. Court records show the firm represented him in 2021 after he slipped on a wet hotel floor, resulting in a $1,700 settlement. He contacted them again after moving to Los Angeles when a driver ran over his foot.

The situation escalated in July 2025 when Dunlap says he received a call from the firm asking him to visit their downtown Broadway office, presumably regarding his foot injury case. Instead, he claims he was presented with three document packets to sign without explanation.

“I’m from the hood — you don’t just sign anything. So, I get to reading the papers and it’s talking about some juvenile delinquent California… case. And I’m like, I’m not even from California,” Dunlap explained. “I’m from St. Louis. I ain’t ever been to juvie a day in my life.”

Dunlap alleges the representative brushed off his concerns, insisting he sign the paperwork regardless. Following the $4 billion settlement announced in April 2025, all plaintiffs were required to sign an agreement to opt into the settlement and complete a fact sheet detailing their alleged abuse to qualify for payouts up to $3 million per case, with attorneys keeping 33-45% in fees.

After refusing to sign, Dunlap says he was told to meet with a superior and was ushered toward an elevator. Instead of going up, he pressed the down button and fled the building. Later, he says DTLA attorney Andrew Morrow texted him a photo of what appeared to be a retainer agreement dated September 29, 2024, bearing a signature Dunlap doesn’t recognize.

“What the hell is wrong with y’all,” Dunlap texted Morrow after the encounter. “I couldn’t even get a real apology just more pressure about signing sum papers I denied to sign over n over.”

Morrow reportedly offered to dismiss the lawsuit but warned Dunlap he was “giving up a lot of money from the bad people you said hurt you.” As of March 23, the lawsuit remained active, keeping Dunlap unwillingly part of the massive settlement.

Dunlap’s case highlights deeper concerns about DTLA’s practices. The Times identified ten additional people represented by the firm in the sex abuse settlement who, like Dunlap, had previously hired the firm for personal injury matters.

Before any settlement funds are disbursed, former presiding Superior Court Judge Daniel Buckley is vetting questionable cases and interviewing suspicious claimants. The L.A. County district attorney’s office has also requested a six-month delay in payments and recently flagged hundreds of plaintiffs for further investigation.

For Dunlap, the ordeal has been distressing. He says he has no interest in settlement money and believes it should go to genuine victims.

“So how do I get my name out?” he asks.