Tyler Perry has been sued for sexual assault by an actor who appeared in *Boo! A Madea Halloween*, marking the second recent lawsuit accusing the filmmaker and studio mogul of using his Hollywood power to make unwanted sexual advances.
Mario Rodriguez filed the lawsuit Thursday in California, alleging that Perry subjected him to repeated unwanted sexual advances over several years. The complaint includes claims of sexual battery and assault occurring at Perry’s Los Angeles home. Rodriguez is seeking at least $77 million in damages. He has also named Lionsgate, the distributor of the 2016 film, accusing the studio of ignoring Perry’s alleged misconduct.
“Having recently failed in another matter against Mr. Perry, the very same lawyer has now made yet another demand from more than a decade ago which will also be a failed money grab,” said Alex Spiro, Perry’s attorney, in a statement provided to CBS News on Friday. Lionsgate has not yet responded to requests for comment.
According to the lawsuit, Rodriguez was first 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 later 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 complaint states.
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 additional alleged incidents in 2016, 2018, and 2019, including one encounter where Perry reportedly attempted to unbuckle Rodriguez’s pants, and another where Perry placed Rodriguez’s hand on his genitals.
The complaint also alleges that Perry gave Rodriguez $5,000 on multiple occasions following these encounters.
Rodriguez says he resisted Perry’s advances and ultimately decided to file the lawsuit after learning about similar allegations made by another actor, Derek Dixon. Dixon sued Perry in June, alleging that the filmmaker groped him while he worked on Perry’s television series *The Oval* and *Ruthless*. Dixon’s lawsuit, initially filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, has reportedly been transferred to federal court in Georgia, where Perry’s studio is based.
Rodriguez’s lawsuit includes claims of sexual assault, sexual battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/second-actor-accuses-tyler-perry-sexual-assault-new-lawsuit/