Tyler Perry sued for sexual abuse by ‘Boo! A Madea Halloween actor
Tyler Perry has been sued on sexual assault allegations by a new accuser, an actor who appeared in the 2016 film “Boo! A Madea Halloween.”
In a lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, Mario Rodriguez claims Perry assaulted him multiple times at Perry’s Los Angeles home over several years. According to the complaint, Perry allegedly made unwanted sexual advances toward Rodriguez, including a 2018 incident in which Perry “hugged him tightly” and “grabbed his penis.”
Rodriguez, who played “Frat Guy #10” in Perry’s “Boo! A Madea Halloween,” is suing for assault, sexual battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress. He also files a claim against Lionsgate, distributor of ‘Boo! A Madea Halloween’, for allegedly ignoring Perry’s actions. Rodriguez is demanding at least $77 million.
The complaint details an incident that allegedly occurred in Perry’s home screening room a few months after they met in 2015. “Mr. Perry then placed his hand on Mr. Rodriguez’s leg and began rubbing his inner thigh, right next to his penis. Mr. Perry told Mr. Rodriguez, ‘It’s okay,’ as he continued to rub his thigh.”
Rodriguez claims the two broke off contact in 2019, but Perry contacted him periodically after that. The complaint states that Rodriguez was motivated to file his claim against Perry after reading reports of Derek Dixon’s lawsuit earlier this year.
In response to Rodriguez’s lawsuit, Alex Spiro, an attorney for Perry, said in a statement shared with Variety“After recently failing in another case against Mr. Perry, the same attorney has now renewed a claim from over a decade ago that will also be a failed money grab.”
Spiro referred to another lawsuit against Perry filed in June. Dixon, an actor who appeared on Perry’s BET series “The Oval,” accused the filmmaker of sexual harassment and assault.
Dixon, who appeared in 85 episodes of the drama series, claimed Perry drunkenly grabbed his buttocks while staying at the entertainment mogul’s guesthouse in June 2021. The lawsuit also cited alleged text messages in which Perry allegedly repeatedly made sexual comments and advances for years. Dixon is seeking at least $260 million in damages.
Jonathan Delshad, a Los Angeles-based attorney representing Rodriguez and Dixon, pointed to numerous text messages allegedly exchanged between Rodriguez and Perry that support his client’s claims.
“Mr. Rodriguez looks forward to his day in court and holding Mr. Perry accountable for his actions. We hope a jury awards enough money to make Perry regret his actions,” Delshad said. “Unfortunately, statements like those made by Perry’s attorneys do nothing but allow Mr. Perry to continue to victimize people like Mr. Rodriguez. My client looks forward to a jury’s determination of what happened.”
“Mr. Rodriguez realized that Mr. Perry continued to use his power and influence to sexually assault hopeful actors and decided, with the voices of others, that it was time to tell his story, obtain justice and finally stop Mr. Perry,” the new complaint states. “When Perry became aware that Rodriguez was going to file this action, Perry contacted Rodriguez again by text message, telling Rodriguez that Perry did so much to help Rodriguez and that Perry felt betrayed by Rodriguez.
