Second actor accuses Tyler Perry of sexual assault in new lawsuit
Tyler Perry was sued for sexual assault by an actor who appeared in “Boo! A Madea Halloween”, marking the second trial in recent months, accusing the filmmaker and studio mogul of exploiting his power in Hollywood to make sexual advances.
Mario Rodriguez filed a lawsuit Thursday in California, alleging that Perry subjected him to repeated unwanted sexual advances over several years, including sexual assault and assault at Perry’s Los Angeles home. Rodriguez is seeking at least $77 million in damages and has also sued Lionsgate, which distributed the 2016 film, accusing the studio of turning a blind eye to Perry’s alleged misconduct.
“After recently failing in another case against Mr. Perry, the same attorney has now made a new request from more than a decade ago, which will also constitute a failed cash grab,” Alex Spiro, an attorney for Perry, said in a statement provided to CBS News on Friday.
Lionsgate did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.
According to the complaint, Rodriguez was approached in 2014 by a trainer at an Equinox gym in Los Angeles who said Perry wanted his phone number to discuss an acting role. Perry then encouraged Rodriguez to audition for “Boo! A Madea Halloween,” telling him, “I’m not a bad person to know and have in your corner,” the lawsuit claims.
After Rodriguez was cast, he was invited to Perry’s home, where Perry allegedly touched him inappropriately while they watched a movie. The lawsuit describes other alleged incidents that occurred in 2016, 2018 and 2019, including an encounter in which Perry allegedly tried to unbuckle Rodriguez’s pants and another in which Perry placed Rodriguez’s hand on his genitals. The complaint says Perry gave Rodriguez $5,000 on multiple occasions after the meetings.
Rodriguez says he resisted the advances and ultimately decided to press charges after learning of similar allegations made by another actor, Derek Dixon.
Dixon sued Perry in June, alleging the filmmaker groped him while he worked on Perry’s television series “The Oval” and “Ruthless.” That lawsuit, originally filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, has since reportedly been moved to federal court in Georgia, where Perry’s studio is based.
Rodriguez’s lawsuit includes allegations of sexual assault, sexual battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
