Tyler Perry Faces $77 Million Lawsuit for Sexual Assault Allegations: Actor Mario Rodriguez Accuses Perry of Unwanted Advances
Tyler Perry is facing a lawsuit for sexual assault from actor Mario Rodriguez, who appeared in the film Boo! A Madea Halloween. This is the second lawsuit in recent months accusing Perry of using his influence in Hollywood to make unwanted sexual advances. Rodriguez is seeking $77 million in damages and has also sued Lionsgate, the distributor of the movie, for allegedly ignoring Perry's behavior. The lawsuit alleges that Perry made repeated unwanted sexual advances towards Rodriguez, including instances of sexual battery and assault at Perry's Los Angeles home.
According to the complaint, Rodriguez was approached by a trainer at a gym in 2014 who said Perry wanted to discuss an acting role with him. Perry then encouraged Rodriguez to audition for Boo! A Madea Halloween and invited him to his home, where he allegedly touched Rodriguez inappropriately. The lawsuit details additional incidents in 2016, 2018, and 2019, including Perry allegedly trying to unbuckle Rodriguez's pants and placing Rodriguez's hand on his genitals. Rodriguez claims he resisted Perry's advances and decided to file suit after learning of similar allegations made by another actor, Derek Dixon, who sued Perry in June for groping him while working on Perry's television series.
The lawsuit includes claims of sexual assault, sexual battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Lionsgate has not yet responded to requests for comment, while Perry's lawyer has denied the allegations. The lawsuit filed by Dixon has been moved from Los Angeles Superior Court to federal court in Georgia, where Perry's studio is located. The allegations against Perry highlight the ongoing issue of sexual misconduct in the entertainment industry and the abuse of power by those in positions of authority.
In conclusion, Tyler Perry is facing serious allegations of sexual assault from actor Mario Rodriguez, who claims Perry made unwanted sexual advances towards him over several years. The lawsuit seeks significant damages and also implicates Lionsgate for allegedly ignoring Perry's behavior. The allegations against Perry underscore the importance of addressing and preventing sexual misconduct in the entertainment industry.