Filmmaker Tyler Perry is facing a second sexual assault lawsuit from actor Mario Rodriguez, who appeared in 'Boo! A Madea Halloween,' alleging years of unwanted sexual advances, sexual battery, and assault, also naming Lionsgate as a defendant.
Actor Mario Rodriguez, who appeared in 'Boo! A Madea Halloween,' has filed a lawsuit against Tyler Perry for sexual assault, marking the second such accusation against the filmmaker in recent months. Rodriguez alleges that Perry subjected him to repeated unwanted sexual advances over several years, including sexual battery and assault at Perry's Los Angeles home, seeking at least $77 million in damages. The lawsuit also names Lionsgate, the film's distributor, accusing the studio of ignoring Perry's alleged misconduct. Perry's lawyer has denied the allegations. According to the complaint, Perry approached Rodriguez in 2014, encouraged him to audition, and later allegedly touched him inappropriately at his home. Further alleged incidents in 2016, 2018, and 2019 include attempts to unbuckle Rodriguez's pants and placing Rodriguez's hand on Perry's genitals, with Perry reportedly giving Rodriguez $5,000 multiple times after these encounters. Rodriguez decided to sue after learning of similar allegations by actor Derek Dixon, who sued Perry in June for groping him on the sets of 'The Oval' and 'Ruthless'. Rodriguez's lawsuit includes claims of sexual assault, sexual battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
