The entertainment world woke up to unsettling news as filmmaker and media executive Tyler Perry has been named in a new sexual assault lawsuit. Filed in California, the case adds to growing legal scrutiny around allegations that Perry misused his position within the industry. The lawsuit now seeks $77 million in damages from him.
The plaintiff, Mario Rodriguez, an actor appeared in Boo! A Madea Halloween (2016), claims Perry subjected him to repeated and unwanted sexual advances over several years. The lawsuit indicates allegations of sexual assault, sexual battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
As reported by People, according to the complaint, Rodriguez was first contacted in 2014 after a gym trainer allegedly said Perry wanted to discuss acting opportunities. He later auditioned and landed a minor role in the film. The lawsuit claims that Perry then invited him to his Los Angeles home multiple times under the pretext of discussing work, where alleged assaults occurred.
Rodriguez also alleges that Perry gave him $5000 on more than one occasion following these encounters.
The lawsuit also points at Lionsgate, the studio that distributed the film, accusing it of ignoring warning signs. While the studio has not made any comment on this publicly yet.
Rodriguez says he decided to come forward after learning about similar accusations made by actor Derek Dixon, who filed a separate lawsuit against Perry earlier this year. That case has since been moved to federal court in Georgia.
Meanwhile Tyler Perry has strongly denied all allegations, through his legal team. His attorney has described the lawsuit as a “money grab,” while Rodriguez’s lawyer maintains that the claims are serious and ongoing.
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source https://lehren.com/aspiring-actor-sues-filmmaker-tyler-perry-for-77-million-over-alleged-assault/
