Lena the Plug Denies Adam22 Divorce, Says Identity Thief Filed Fake Petition
Adult-content creator Lena the Plug (Lena Nersesian) says an imposter fraudulently filed pro se divorce papers in her name in Los Angeles County Superior Court on June 1, 2026 — her 35th birthday — seeking custody of her 5-year-old daughter, according to TMZ. For Californians, the case is a real-world illustration of a serious risk: filing a false court document is a felony under Cal. Penal Code § 115, punishable by up to three years in state prison.
Key Facts
| Detail | Summary |
|---|---|
| What happened | A divorce petition was allegedly filed fraudulently in Lena Nersesian's name by an identity thief |
| When | June 1, 2026 (her birthday); denial reported June 4, 2026 |
| Where | Los Angeles County Superior Court, California |
| Who's affected | Lena the Plug, Adam22 (Adam Grandmaison), and their 5-year-old daughter |
| Key statute | Cal. Penal Code § 115 (filing false instrument); Cal. Fam. Code § 2330 (petition requirements) |
| Impact | Police identity-theft report filed; attorney working to dismiss the fraudulent petition |
Why This Matters Legally
Filing a fraudulent divorce petition in someone else's name is a felony in California, not a private dispute. Under Cal. Penal Code § 115, knowingly procuring or offering any false or forged instrument to be filed in a public office is punishable by up to three years in state prison — and each false document counts as a separate offense. A divorce petition filed with the court clerk squarely qualifies as a filed instrument.
The situation is unusual because divorce filings normally signal a genuine breakdown of a marriage. Here, the named petitioner is the alleged victim, not the moving party. That inversion matters: California courts treat the identity of the actual filer as central, and a petition signed under a forged name carries no legal force once the fraud is established. The court can void the filing, and prosecutors can pursue criminal charges independently of the family case.
How California Law Handles This
California law gives a wrongly named spouse clear paths to undo a fraudulent filing. A respondent who never authorized a petition can move to quash or dismiss it, and the court may set aside any resulting orders under Cal. Fam. Code § 2122, which permits relief from judgments obtained through fraud, perjury, or duress. Because every California divorce petition under Cal. Fam. Code § 2330 must be verified — signed under penalty of perjury — a forged verification is itself actionable perjury under Cal. Penal Code § 118.
On the custody question, California courts decide parenting arrangements under the best-interest standard in Cal. Fam. Code § 3011 and the policy of frequent, continuing contact in Cal. Fam. Code § 3020. A custody request embedded in a fraudulent petition has no independent legal weight; no judge will alter custody of a 5-year-old based on a filing the named parent never authorized. Service of process rules under Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 415.10 also require valid service, which a fraudulent filer cannot legitimately complete against a non-consenting party.
Identity theft adds a second criminal layer. Using another person's identifying information to file legal documents can violate Cal. Penal Code § 530.5, California's identity-theft statute, which carries up to three years in jail and fines up to $10,000. A police report — which Lena says she filed — creates the official record prosecutors need to investigate.
Practical Takeaways
If you ever discover a court filing made in your name without your consent, California law gives you concrete steps to protect yourself and your children.
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File a police report immediately. Document the fraud with law enforcement so prosecutors can pursue charges under Cal. Penal Code § 115 and § 530.5. The report also supports your civil filings.
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Contact the court clerk and request the case file. Obtain the case number, the petition, and any proof of service so your attorney can identify exactly what was filed and when.
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Retain a family law attorney to move to quash or dismiss. A motion to set aside under Cal. Fam. Code § 2122 can void a petition and any orders obtained by fraud.
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Place a fraud alert or credit freeze. Identity thieves who forge court documents often misuse financial information too; alert the three credit bureaus.
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Preserve all evidence. Save emails, texts, and screenshots showing you never authorized the filing — verification under Cal. Fam. Code § 2330 means the forged signature is itself proof of the crime.
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Monitor for service attempts. Under Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 415.10, valid service is required; respond promptly to any notice so no default order is entered against you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone file for divorce in your name in California without your knowledge?
No legitimate divorce can proceed without the named spouse, but a fraudulent petition can be physically filed. Doing so violates Cal. Penal Code § 115, a felony carrying up to three years in prison. The wrongly named spouse can move to dismiss the filing and report the identity theft to police.
Is filing fake divorce papers a crime in California?
Yes. Knowingly filing a false or forged instrument in a California public office is a felony under Cal. Penal Code § 115, punishable by up to three years in state prison. Forging the verification signature also constitutes perjury under Cal. Penal Code § 118, and using another's identity violates § 530.5.
Can a fraudulent filing affect custody of my child in California?
No. California courts decide custody under the best-interest standard in Cal. Fam. Code § 3011, and a custody request in a fraudulent petition has no legal force. No judge will change parenting arrangements based on a filing the named parent never authorized, and the petition can be voided once the fraud is proven.
How do I cancel a divorce petition filed fraudulently in my name?
File a police identity-theft report, then have a family law attorney move to quash or dismiss the petition. Under Cal. Fam. Code § 2122, California courts may set aside any judgment obtained through fraud or perjury. Acting within days prevents a default order from being entered.
What is the punishment for identity theft involving court documents in California?
Identity theft under Cal. Penal Code § 530.5 carries up to three years in jail and fines up to $10,000. When the identity is used to file false court papers, prosecutors can also charge filing a false instrument under Cal. Penal Code § 115, adding up to three more years per document.
Protect Yourself
If you believe a court document has been filed in your name without your consent, a California family law attorney can move quickly to void the petition and protect your custody rights. Browse our directory to find an exclusive family law attorney in your county.
This article discusses recent news and provides general legal commentary. It does not constitute legal advice. Every case is unique. Consult a qualified family law attorney for advice specific to your situation.