Tyler Perry Sued for Sexual Assault by ‘Boo! A Madea Halloween’ Actor
Tyler Perry is facing another lawsuit, this time from actor Mario Rodriguez, who starred in the 2016 movie “Boo! A Madea Halloween.” Rodriguez alleges that Perry sexually assaulted him on multiple occasions at Perry’s Los Angeles home. The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, claims that Perry made unwanted sexual advances towards Rodriguez, including a 2018 incident where Perry allegedly “tightly hugged” him and “grabbed his penis.”
Rodriguez, who played “Frat Guy #10” in the film, is suing Perry for sexual assault, sexual battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. He is also bringing a claim against Lionsgate, the distributor of the movie, for allegedly ignoring Perry’s actions. Rodriguez is seeking at least $77 million in damages.
One incident described in the complaint occurred in Perry’s home screening room a few months after they met in 2015. Perry allegedly put his hand on Rodriguez’s leg and began rubbing his inner thigh next to his penis, telling Rodriguez “It’s ok” while continuing to touch him.
According to the lawsuit, Rodriguez and Perry stopped contact in 2019, but Perry would periodically reach out to him afterwards. Rodriguez was reportedly inspired to come forward after reading about Derek Dixon’s lawsuit against Perry earlier this year.
In response to Rodriguez’s lawsuit, Perry’s lawyer, Alex Spiro, dismissed the claims as a “failed money grab,” referencing another lawsuit filed in June by Dixon, who appeared on Perry’s BET series “The Oval.” Dixon accused Perry of sexual harassment and assault, seeking at least $260 million in punitive damages.
Jonathan Delshad, the attorney representing both Rodriguez and Dixon, highlighted text messages exchanged between Rodriguez and Perry that support his clients’ allegations. Delshad stated that Rodriguez is looking forward to holding Perry accountable in court and hopes for a jury to award enough damages to make Perry regret his actions.
The new complaint against Perry alleges that Rodriguez decided to speak out after realizing that Perry was using his power and influence to sexually assault aspiring actors. Perry reportedly reached out to Rodriguez again after learning about the lawsuit, expressing feeling betrayed by Rodriguez.
The allegations against Perry continue to mount, with multiple accusers coming forward with claims of sexual misconduct. As the legal battle unfolds, the outcome remains uncertain, but the voices of these accusers shed light on the importance of holding powerful individuals accountable for their actions.
