Tyler Perry has been hit with a second sexual assault lawsuit, and he’s once again is denying the allegations and slamming the allegations.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, actor Mario Rodriguez, who had a small role in Boo! A Madea Halloween, is suing Perry and Lionsgate for at least $77 million in damages. Rodriguez filed his sexual battery suit in a California court on Thursday, claiming that Perry has groped him on multiple occasions at Perry’s Los Angeles home.
The suit states that Rodriguez met Perry in 2014, after a gym trainer at Los Angeles’ Equinox told him that Perry wanted his number to discuss an acting role. Allegedly, when Rodriguez met with Perry, Perry told him to audition for the role of a good-looking college student for his Halloween-themed film. Perry also allegedly said, “You know, Mario, I’m not a bad person to know and have in your corner.”
Between accepting the part and after filming the film, Rodriguez was allegedly invited to Perry’s home on several occasions, with the incidents involving Perry allegedly touching in between Rodriguez’s legs and near his penis. He also alleges Perry said during the first incident, “Man, if you would just come, I would take care of you for the rest of your life and you wouldn’t have to worry about anything. I know you’ll come around.”
Another alleged incident took place in in 2018, after Rodriguez and Perry met at Mastro’s Steakhouse in Beverly Hills to discuss a role in The Oval, the two went back to Perry’s home, where Perry allegedly “tightly hugged” Rodriguez and reached into his underwear to grab his penis. The suit claims “Mr. Perry was making sexual moaning noises and saying, ‘Stay here, stay here,’ while he pressed his body against Mr. Rodriguez and continued to grab his penis.”
Another alleged incident in 2019 also includes Perry allegedly telling Rodriguez, “If you were to just be with me, I would take care of you, and you wouldn’t have to ever worry about anything.” The 2018 and 2019 incidents also resulted in Perry apologizing and giving Rodriguez $5,000.
Rodriguez claims that he filed his suit after learning of Derek Dixon’s lawsuit of a similar nature. Dixon, who starred in The Oval, also claimed that Perry sexually assaulted him for several years. Rodriguez states in his suit that he hopes he can “finally stop Mr. Perry” from harming vulnerable actors.
Perry refutes the claims. His lawyer, Alex Spiro, said to The Hollywood Reporter, “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.”