00:01Yet again, filmmaker and media executive Tyler Perry has been named in a new s**tial assault
00:06lawsuit.
00:07Filed in California, the case adds to growing legal scrutiny around allegations that Perry
00:12misused his position within the industry.
00:15The lawsuit now seeks $77 million in damages from him.
00:21The plaintiff Mario Rodriguez, an actor appeared in Boo a Media Halloween, claims Perry has
00:26subjected him to repeated and unwanted s**tial advances over several years.
00:31The lawsuit indicates allegations of s**tial assaults, s**tial battery, and intentional
00:35infliction of emotional distress.
00:39As reported by People, according to the complaint, Rodriguez was first contacted in 2014 after
00:45a gym trainer allegedly said Perry wanted to discuss acting opportunities.
00:50He later auditioned and landed a minor role in the film.
00:53The lawsuit claims that Perry then invited him to Los Angeles home multiple times under
00:58the pretext of discussing work where alleged assaults occurred.
01:03Rodriguez also alleges that Perry gave him $5,000 on more than one occasion following his encounters.
01:11The lawsuit also points at Lionsgate, the studio that distributed the film, accusing it of ignoring
01:17warning signs.
01:19While the studio has not made any comment on this publicly yet, Rodriguez says he decided
01:25to come forward after learning about similar accusations made by actor Derek Dixon, who filed
01:30a separate lawsuit against Perry earlier this year.
01:34That case has since been moved to federal court in Georgia.
01:38Meanwhile, Tyler Perry has strongly denied all allegations through his legal team.
01:43His attorney has described the lawsuit as a money grab, while Rodriguez's lawyer maintains
01:48that the claims are serious and ongoing.
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