Tyler Perry’s lawyer has fired again at accusations the Madea star groped one other actor with out consent and subjected him to repeated undesirable sexual advances, RadarOnline.com can verify.
Insiders have additionally shared textual content messages that seem to point out Mario Rodriguez had beforehand instructed Perry he was struggling financially and was struggling unspecified well being points.
Rodriguez, a mannequin and actor who had a small position in Perry’s 2016 movie Boo! A Madea Halloween is demanding $77million in damages.
Nevertheless, Perry’s legal professional stated textual content messages between his 56-year-old consumer and the actor billed as “Frat Man #10” present Rodriguez usually expressed his gratitude and friendship for years after the film got here out.
In a single trade allegedly despatched round Thanksgiving 2024, Rodriguez heaped reward on Perry and thanked him for the chance to look in his film.
“Simply know that I really like you and I thanks for every thing. I admire you to the moon,” the textual content learn. “You bought my Mexican a– out of loads of dangerous locations and I simply wanna let you know thanks.”
In a press release, Perry’s legal professional, Alex Spiro, slammed the shakedown: “I stated it earlier than and I’ll say it once more, that is nothing however a $77million cash seize rip-off.”
Rodriguez allegedly reached out to the director as just lately as August 31, texting him a rambling message about his monetary woes: “Brother have not been feeling OK confused and lil nauseous I received blood work thinks its my enamel I do know it’s none of your online business idk what do I do know I promised you I might by no means ask you for something, but when it what I believe it’s, I don’t suppose I may do it by myself as a result of I barely pay my payments scared af I don’t wish to get sepsis like my dad and go away I don’t even wanna point out it as a result of I don’t wanna make it actual.”
A separate textual content stated: “Really feel sick most days by no means instructed anyone this however my mother and everyone seems to be beginning to discover my broke a–. Don’t have insurance coverage. I’d by no means misinform you, however I believe that’s what improper.”
“My dentist is meant to handle in Beverly Hills, however he’s in jail for fraud,” a 3rd textual content allegedly despatched by Rodriguez learn. “I’ve all the time been wholesome however these days I have been waking up confused and dizzy and a bunch of stuff. I simply can’t go to the physician as a result of I can’t even afford it. I don’t need something. I simply wanna be OK.”
It isn’t clear if Perry replied to the August messages, however in 2024, after Rodriguez allegedly praised him, the Madea’s Household Reunion star did reply: “Joyful Thanksgiving my buddy. Yeap you have been by it. I’m glad you are doing nicely. You do not have to present me a factor or pay me a factor. I’m simply glad you’re good.”
Rodriguez is represented by legal professional Jonathan J. Delshad, who additionally represents actor Derek Dixon in a separate lawsuit filed towards Perry earlier this 12 months.
Whereas slamming the brand new costs, Spiro additionally expressed: “Having just lately failed in one other matter towards Mr. Perry, the exact same lawyer has now made yet one more demand from greater than a decade in the past, which can even be a failed cash seize.”
Within the newly filed lawsuit, Rodriguez alleges that Perry invited him to his house a number of instances over time to debate potential work alternatives.
Based on the lawsuit, Perry had been ingesting throughout one 2015 assembly when he allegedly started making sexual advances. Rodriguez claims Perry rubbed his shoulders and stated, “Man, I like your shoulders,” earlier than making “sexual grunting noises” whereas touching his chest and shoulders.
The lawsuit additional alleges that in November 2018, Perry “grabbed (Rodriguez’s) p—-“, regardless of repeated requests to cease. Rodriguez claims he needed to “bodily battle to get away” and alleges Perry instructed him to “let it occur,” including, “In the event you have been to only be with me, I might handle you….”
Based on the grievance, Perry later apologized to Rodriguez and paid him $5,000 earlier than dismissing him.