from www.tmz.com – Laurence Fishburne is secretly funding his daughter Montana’s legal defense … sources tell TMZ.

TMZ broke the story … Montana Fishburne claimed daddy Laurence wanted nothing to do with her after she decided to enter the world of porn.

But now we’re told … It was Laurence who hired Montana’s lawyer, Shawn Chapman Holley, to represent her in an ongoing assault with a deadly weapon case … in an attempt to help her out and get her life back on track. We contacted Holley — she refused to comment.

Our sources say Laurence continues to foot the bill for Montana’s defense.

So, Montana, who loves ya?