Tyler Perry is dealing with a brand new $77million sexual assault lawsuit simply months after a earlier authorized criticism was filed in opposition to the filmmaker.
The newest lawsuit was filed on Thursday, December 25, in California by Mario Rodriguez, a mannequin and actor who had a small position in Perry’s 2016 movie Boo! A Madea Halloween.
Rodriguez alleges that Perry groped him with out consent and subjected him to repeated undesirable sexual advances, RadarOnline.com can report.
Perry, 56, has denied the allegations, characterizing the lawsuit as an try and extort cash. Perry’s legal professional Alex Spiro mentioned, “Having just lately failed in one other matter in opposition to Mr. Perry, the exact same lawyer has now made yet one more demand from greater than a decade in the past, which will even be a failed cash seize.”
Rodriguez is represented by legal professional Jonathan J. Delshad, who additionally represents actor Derek Dixon in a separate lawsuit filed in opposition to Perry earlier this yr.
In accordance with stories, Delshad mentioned Dixon’s lawsuit is “alive and effectively, and none of [his claims] have failed; they have been simply moved to a special courtroom,” referring to the case being transferred from California to Georgia.
In accordance with courtroom filings, Dixon accused Perry of “escalating sexual harassment, assault and battery, {and professional} retaliation when [Dixon] didn’t reciprocate Mr. Perry’s undesirable advances.” Perry denied these claims on the time, with certainly one of his attorneys calling them “fabricated”.
Within the newly filed lawsuit, Rodriguez additionally names Lionsgate Movies as a defendant and is reportedly searching for $77million in damages. Rodriguez claims his interactions with Perry started in 2015 after he was approached by a coach at a Los Angeles gymnasium who informed him Perry was thinking about talking with him. Rodriguez later spoke with Perry by telephone and was subsequently solid in a minor position in Boo! A Madea Halloween, the place he was credited as Frat Man #10.
Rodriguez alleges that Perry invited him to his residence a number of instances through the years to debate potential work alternatives.
In accordance with the lawsuit, Perry had been ingesting throughout one 2015 assembly when he allegedly started making sexual advances. Rodriguez claims Perry rubbed his shoulders and mentioned, “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 informed him to “let it occur”, including, “If you happen to have been to only be with me, I might handle you….”
In accordance with the criticism, Perry later apologized to Rodriguez and paid him $5,000 earlier than dismissing him.
Rodriguez alleges his closing assembly with Perry occurred in April 2019. “Greater than ever earlier than, it was clear that Mr. Perry would do no matter he wished, every time he wished, to whomever he wished, irrespective of what number of instances he was rejected,” Rodriguez claims. He alleges that Perry continued to contact him via 2024 and despatched textual content messages saying he “did a lot to assist Rodriguez” and felt “betrayed” after studying of the lawsuit.
Rodriguez additionally claims he by no means obtained further performing work from Perry after allegedly refusing his advances. In a December 13 Instagram video, Rodriguez referenced being sexually assaulted by “a really massive director, a critically highly effective particular person that everyone is aware of,” saying worry saved him silent for years. He urged followers to “keep tuned” for additional particulars.