Hollywood mogul Tyler Perry is facing a new lawsuit filed by actor and model Mario Rodriguez, who has accused the filmmaker of sexual assault, unwanted advances, and emotional distress. The suit was filed on Thursday in California against Perry and Lionsgate Films.
According to court filings, Rodriguez says he first connected with Perry in 2015 after a gym trainer informed him the filmmaker wanted to meet him. He claims Perry later contacted him regarding a potential film opportunity and eventually invited him to his residence, where Rodriguez alleges inappropriate conduct took place.
Rodriguez appeared in Perry’s 2016 film “Boo! A Madea Halloween”, and while he states that Perry did not behave improperly during production, he claims incidents occurred before and after filming. He alleges Perry repeatedly invited him to discuss future roles and during those meetings subjected him to unwelcome advances.
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Rodriguez further claims that on separate occasions, Perry crossed personal boundaries, leading him to file claims of sexual assault, sexual battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. He is seeking punitive damages reportedly amounting to at least $77 million.
Perry’s attorney, Alex Spiro, has firmly denied the allegations, calling the lawsuit an attempted “money grab” and referencing a previous unsuccessful legal action brought by the same attorney against Perry.
The case comes months after another actor, Derek Dixon, accused Perry of workplace harassment and assault — allegations Perry has also denied.
The lawsuit is now expected to proceed through the California courts.
TMZ