Tyler Perry Faces New Sexual Assault Allegation in Second Actor’s Lawsuit
Tyler Perry faces a new sexual assault allegation following a second lawsuit from an actor involved in his film “Boo! A Madea Halloween.” Mario Rodriguez filed the lawsuit in California, claiming Perry engaged in sexual misconduct over several years. The lawsuit marks another instance of an actor accusing the filmmaker of leveraging his Hollywood influence for inappropriate advances.
Details of the Lawsuit
Rodriguez’s lawsuit, filed on a Thursday, seeks damages of at least $77 million. Additionally, he has taken legal action against Lionsgate, the distributor of the 2016 film, alleging the studio ignored Perry’s alleged misconduct.
Allegations of Sexual Misconduct
According to the complaint, Rodriguez was approached in 2014 by a trainer at an Equinox gym in Los Angeles. The trainer claimed that Perry wanted Rodriguez’s phone number for potential casting in an acting role. Subsequently, Perry encouraged him to audition for “Boo! A Madea Halloween,” stating, “I’m not a bad person to know and have in your corner.”
After being cast in the film, Rodriguez reported being invited to Perry’s home, where he alleges inappropriate touching occurred during a movie viewing. The lawsuit outlines additional incidents from 2016, 2018, and 2019, including one where Perry allegedly attempted to unbuckle Rodriguez’s pants and another where he placed Rodriguez’s hand on his genitals.
Rodriguez’s complaint notes that Perry allegedly provided him with $5,000 several times after these encounters. Despite resisting Perry’s advances, Rodriguez felt compelled to file the lawsuit after hearing similar allegations from another actor, Derek Dixon.
Previous Allegations Against Perry
Derek Dixon sued Perry in June, claiming he was groped while working on Perry’s television series “The Oval” and “Ruthless.” This lawsuit began in Los Angeles Superior Court but has since moved to federal court in Georgia, which is the location of Perry’s studio.
Legal Responses
In response to the latest allegations, Alex Spiro, Perry’s attorney, asserted that Rodriguez’s claims are an extension of a previous unsuccessful matter against Perry. Spiro characterized the lawsuit as a money grab. As of now, Lionsgate has not issued a statement regarding the allegations.
These developments highlight ongoing issues related to power dynamics and alleged sexual misconduct in Hollywood, raising questions about accountability in the entertainment industry.
