New Accuser Sues Tyler Perry for $77M Over Alleged Sexual Battery
New Accuser Sues Tyler Perry for $77M Over Alleged Sexual Battery
Actor Mario Rodriguez alleges Perry made repeated advances over years at a Los Angeles home, seeking $77 million as Perry denies the claims.
A new accuser has stepped forward with a multimillion-dollar lawsuit alleging sexual battery against Tyler Perry, connected to a film he appeared in. The lawsuit was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court by actor Mario Rodriguez, who says he worked on Boo! A Madea Halloween and is seeking at least $77 million from Perry and Lionsgate. Rodriguez claims Perry committed assaults on multiple occasions over several years, including incidents in 2016, 2018, and 2019 at Perry’s Los Angeles home. He describes events where Perry “tightly hugged” him and “grabbed his penis,” as well as instances where Perry allegedly “put his hands” on his legs and began rubbing his inner thigh near Rodriguez’s genital area. The suit also alleges that in 2019 Perry grabbed Rodriguez’s hand and placed it on his penis, and that Perry spoke about taking care of him for the rest of his life if he would “come around.” More than ever before, the filing argues that Perry would do whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted, to whomever he wanted, regardless of rejection.
Perry’s attorney has publicly denied the accusations, calling the suit part of a repeated pattern of “money grabbing” from more than a decade ago. The defense frames the claims as unfounded and insists they will be dismissed in court. Rodriguez’s lawyer, Jonathan Delshad, responding to the denial, says the plaintiff is looking forward to his day in court and hopes a jury will hold Perry accountable if the claims are proven. Rodriguez is described as an actor who appeared in a Madea film, and this case marks at least the second person to allege misconduct against Perry in recent years.
The legal action comes as Hollywood continues to confront a wave of such allegations in various industries. The parties have not yet entered a trial phase, and authorities have not yet determined liability. The case will proceed through the Los Angeles court system, where both sides will present evidence and testimony to determine whether the claims warrant significant damages.
