Tyler Perry is facing a $77 million lawsuit for sexual battery by an actor who had a role in Boo! A Madea Halloween and says Perry repeatedly made unwanted sexual advances.
In a lawsuit filed in California state court on Christmas Day, Mario Rodriguez claimed that he was subjected to unwanted sexual advances from Perry such as one occasion in 2018 when the director allegedly “tightly hugged” him and “grabbed his penis.”
Rodriguez, who had a minor role in Boo! A Madea Halloween as “Frat Guy #10,” claimed in the lawsuit that he was approached by a trainer while at a gym in Los Angeles who revealed that Perry wanted to meet him. Rodriguez said that after a he was offered the role.
Rodriguez alleged that in multiple instances, Perry made sexual advances on him while drinking when the entertainment mogul was at his house to discuss working on future projects together. After Perry allegedly grabbed his penis, Rodriguez allegedly told him to stop and had to "physically struggle to get away.”
According to Rodriguez, Perry would allegedly tell the actor to “let it happen” and, "If you were to just be with me, I would take care of you..."
Rodriguez claimed that after two alleged incidents, Perry apologized, gave him $5,000, and “sent him away.”
After another alleged encounter in 2019, Rodriguez claimed that Perry would “randomly reach out to” him in 2024. The actor also said that Perry contacted him when he became aware of Rodriguez’s plan to file a motion, allegedly saying he "did so much to help Rodriguez" and "was feeling betrayed."
Rodriguez is seeking $77 million in damages. He is being represented by attorney Jonathan J. Delshad, who previously represented actor Derek Dixon when he made similar claims about Perry earlier this year.
Perry’s attorney, Alex Spiro, released a statement about the lawsuit.
"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," Sprio said.
On Dec. 13, Rodriguez released a video on Instagram claiming that he was “scared and ashamed” about the situation with a “powerful director that everybody knows.”
"I stayed quiet for much too long. And I just want to say I'm really sorry, man. Because if I would've spoken up sooner I could've saved somebody that this probably happened to after me," he said. "I just want to say sorry for that, whoever that may be. It could've stopped with me if I would've said something. ... But I'm speaking up now."