Tyler Perry is being sued $77million (£57.1million) in a new lawsuit filed by an actor who appeared in the 2016 comedy horror movie Boo! A Madea Halloween.
Mario Rodriguez claims that the entertainment mogul subjected him to unwanted sexual advances, which allegedly included sexual battery and assault at Perry’s Los Angeles home.
Rodriguez has filed claims for sexual assault, sexual battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress, plus a claim against Lionsgate, which distributed the film and allegedly ignored the misconduct, reports The Guardian. Lionsgate are yet to publicly comment on the case.
In the complaint, Rodriguez claims he was approached in 2014 by a trainer at an Equinox gym who said Perry wanted his phone number to discuss an acting role. Perry later encouraged the man to audition for the film, telling him: “I’m not a bad person to know and have in your corner.”
Rodriguez claims Perry later invited him to his home, where Perry touched him inappropriately while they watched a movie. The lawsuit alleges further incidents in 2016, 2018 and 2019, including one encounter in which Perry allegedly “put his hands on Mr Rodriguez’s legs and began rubbing his inner thigh right next to his penis”.
The lawsuit claims Rodriguez tried to leave for the bathroom, but Perry allegedly insisted: “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.”
The allegations against Perry have been denied by his attorney, Alex Spiro, who also alluded to how Rodriguez and a plaintiff in another lawsuit filed earlier this year against Perry by actor Derek Dixon, share the same lawyer.
Dixon accused Perry of sexual harassment, sexual assault, and professional retaliation in a lawsuit filed in June.
“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,” Spiro told The Hollywood Reporter.
Rodriguez claims in the new lawsuit that he decided to sue after learning of Dixon’s claims after he “realised that Mr. Perry was continuing to use his power and influence to sexually assault hopeful actors and, with the voice of others, decided that it was time to tell his story, to obtain justice, and to finally stop Mr. Perry.”
For more help, advice or more information regarding sexual harassment, assault and rape in the UK, visit the Rape Crisis charity website. In the US, visit RAINN.
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