Mario Rodriguez despatched Tyler Perry textual content messages of gratitude and friendship years after the alleged sexual assault he described in his $77 million lawsuit. The texts present that Perry and the ‘Boo! A Madea Halloween’ actor stayed in touch for years after Rodriguez claimed their interactions ended. This yr, months earlier than suing, the actor texted TP about his well being and cash points.
RELATED: Tyler Perry Sued For $77 Million As Actor From ‘Boo! A Madea Halloween’ Alleges Sexual Assault
What Do Texts Between Mario Rodriguez & Tyler Perry Say?
Final week, Mario Rodriguez sued Tyler Perry in California, alleging the filmmaker assaulted him throughout a number of encounters between 2014 and 2019. The lawsuit says Rodriguez lower off contact with Perry in 2019. It additionally claims Tyler Perry would periodically attain out afterward.
Nonetheless, screenshots of textual content messages obtained by The Related Press on Sunday evening present one other POV. Rodriguez initiated contact with Tyler Perry as just lately as Thanksgiving 2024 and once more on Aug. 31, 2025. In these textual content messages, the actor reportedly expresses gratitude, friendship, and monetary misery.
In a single message despatched final Thanksgiving, Mario Rodriguez thanked Tyler Perry for serving to him by means of tough durations in his life. He wrote that he appreciated him “to the moon,” in response to the screenshots. In one other sequence of messages dated Aug. 31, Rodriguez described ongoing well being issues. He reportedly mentioned he lacked medical health insurance and informed Perry he was scared and struggling financially.
AP obtained these textual content messages from a supply near the scenario who spoke on situation of anonymity. The supply, per AP, was not licensed to debate the matter publicly.
Tyler’s Lawyer Doubles Down On Cash Rip-off Principle
Perry’s legal professional, Alex Spiro, disputed Mario Rodriguez’s allegations.
“I mentioned it earlier than and I’ll say it once more,” Spiro mentioned in a press release. “That is nothing however a $77 million cash seize rip-off.”
Rodriguez’s lawsuit seeks not less than $77 million in damages. It accuses Tyler Perry of sexual assault, sexual battery and intentional infliction of emotional misery. Perry has denied the allegations. Spiro’s preliminary response to Mario’s lawsuit identified that the identical lawyer is concerned in each sexual assault lawsuits filed this yr.
“Having just lately failed in one other matter towards Mr. Perry, the exact same lawyer has now made one more demand from greater than a decade, which may also be a failed cash seize,” Spiro informed Selection.
Mario Has Identical Lawyer As Perry’s Different Accuser
Rodriguez’s lawsuit follows a separate case filed in June by actor Derek Dixon. Dixon alleged Perry groped him whereas he labored on Perry’s tv sequence ‘The Oval’ and ‘Ruthless.’ That lawsuit was initially filed in California state courtroom and later moved to federal courtroom in Georgia, the place Perry is predicated. Perry additionally has denied Dixon’s allegations.
AP reached out to Rodriguez’s legal professional, Jonathan Delshad, in search of touch upon the textual content messages, however didn’t obtain a response. Lawyer Delshad additionally represents Derek Dixon.
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Related Press Leisure author Jonathan Landrum Jr. contributed to this report through AP Newsroom.
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