Missouri Judge Sanctioned Plaintiff for Fraudulent Lawsuit

A federal judge ruled that a man filed a deceptive class action suit against Fisher Investments.

Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Financial Crime

Missouri Judge Sanctioned Plaintiff for Fraudulent Lawsuit

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Should courts impose stricter penalties on plaintiffs who initiate lawsuits in bad faith?

U.S. District Judge Matthew Schelp issued a sanctions order against plaintiff Daniel Human for filing a fraudulent lawsuit. Human also destroyed evidence relevant to the case brought against Fisher Investments.

Why it matters

The ruling highlights the legal consequences of obstructing discovery and bringing bad-faith litigation. It underscores the court's commitment to protecting defendants from fraudulent claims filed under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act.

Judge Matthew Schelp sanctioned the plaintiff for destruction of evidence and filing a fraudulent claim. The Telephone Consumer Protection Act allows for statutory damages of $500 to $1,500 per call.

The players

Matthew Schelp

He is a U.S. District Judge serving in the Eastern District of Missouri.

Daniel Human

He is a plaintiff who filed approximately 70 class action lawsuits regarding alleged illegal robocalling.

Fisher Investments

This is an independent investment firm that was named as a defendant in the class action lawsuit.

Edwin Butler

He is the attorney representing the plaintiff in the litigation.

The details

Daniel Human used a fake name to solicit contact from Fisher Investments before filing suit. He further obstructed the case by destroying his desktop computer just two days before a court-ordered inspection and providing a decoy laptop during discovery.

September 30, 2026: Judge Matthew Schelp issued the sanctions order.

Legal Context

This case involves the application of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, which has seen high volumes of litigation in recent years. The court's sanctions demonstrate a stricter approach to managing discovery abuse and bad-faith filing patterns in this specific legal sector.

The court's decision serves as a warning against the misuse of civil litigation processes to seek settlements through fraudulent claims. Residents and local businesses are reminded that courts maintain strict protocols to prevent evidence destruction during active investigations.

The takeaway

Judicial systems provide strict remedies for litigants who attempt to fabricate evidence or commit fraud. Maintaining honest discovery practices is essential for any plaintiff pursuing a legitimate claim in federal court.