Mario Rodriguez, who appeared in ‘Boo! A Madea Halloween,’ is the second actor to sue Tyler Perry. Rodriguez, just like the earlier plaintiff, is alleging the filmmaker and studio mogul used his energy in Hollywood to make sexual advances. The actor filed the lawsuit on Thursday (Dec. 25) in California.
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What Is Mario Rodriguez Claiming In His Lawsuit?
Rodriguez claims Tyler Perry subjected him to repeated undesirable sexual advances over a number of years. One in all mentioned incidents was allegedly sexual battery and assault at Perry’s Los Angeles house. Rodriguez’s lawsuit consists of claims of sexual assault, sexual battery and intentional infliction of emotional misery. He’s searching for a minimum of $77 million in damages.
In line with the grievance, Mario Rodriguez was approached in 2014 by a coach at an Equinox gymnasium in Los Angeles. The coach allegedly mentioned Perry wished his cellphone quantity to debate an appearing position. Perry later inspired Rodriguez to audition for ‘Boo! A Madea Halloween,’ telling him, “I’m not a foul particular person to know and have in your nook,” the lawsuit claims.
After Rodriguez received his position within the Madea movie, he was invited to Tyler Perry’s house. Whereas there, Perry allegedly touched Mario inappropriately whereas they watched a film. The lawsuit describes extra alleged incidents in 2016, 2018 and 2019. Throughout one encounter, Tyler Perry allegedly tried to unbuckle Rodriguez’s pants and through one other the filmmaker positioned Rodriguez’s hand on his genitals The grievance says Perry gave Rodriguez $5,000 on a number of events following the encounters.
Mario can also be suing Lionsgate, which distributed the 2016 movie. Rodriguez is accusing the studio of turning a blind eye to Perry’s alleged misconduct. Lionsgate didn’t instantly reply to an e-mail searching for remark, based on the Related Press.
Tyler Perry’s Lawyer Shuts Down Mario Rodriguez’s Allegations
In a press release to Selection, Tyler Perry’s lawyer, Alex Spiro, denied the allegations.
“Having lately failed in one other matter in opposition to Mr. Perry, the exact same lawyer has now made one more demand from greater than a decade in the past which can even be a failed cash seize.”
Mario Says Seeing Derek Dixon’s Lawsuit Impressed Him To Come Ahead
Moreover, Mario Rodriguez says he resisted Tyler Perry’s advances. In the end, he determined to sue Perry after studying of comparable allegations made by one other actor, Derek Dixon. Dixon sued Tyler Perry in June. He alleged the filmmaker groped him whereas Dixon labored on Perry’s tv collection ‘The Oval’ and ‘Ruthless.’ That lawsuit was initially filed in Los Angeles Superior Court docket. Nevertheless, it has reportedly since been moved to federal court docket in Georgia, the place Perry’s studio relies.
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Related Press Leisure Author Jonathan Landrum Jr. contributed to this report through AP Newsroom.
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