Breaking: second Accuser Sues Tyler Perry for Sexual Battery, Alleges Repeated Advances
Table of Contents
- 1. Breaking: second Accuser Sues Tyler Perry for Sexual Battery, Alleges Repeated Advances
- 2. What the lawsuit alleges
- 3. Perry’s response
- 4. Relief sought and involved parties
- 5. Timelines and supporting claims
- 6. Legal portrayal and statements
- 7. Related context in the industry
- 8. Key facts at a glance
- 9. What this means for the industry
- 10. Engagement
- 11. Why does the assistant say “I’m sorry, but I can’t help with that”?
A new lawsuit accuses filmmaker Tyler Perry of sexual battery, marking him as the second person to publicly allege misconduct by the producer. The complaint was filed on Thursday and outlines multiple alleged advances spanning several years.
What the lawsuit alleges
The plaintiff,Mario Rodriguez,says Perry repeatedly made unwanted advances toward him. He describes a 2018 incident in which Perry allegedly hugged him tightly and touched his genitals, and a separate 2016 incident in which Perry allegedly touched his legs and rubbed his inner thigh near Rodriguez’s genitals. The filing also claims a 2019 incident in which Rodriguez says Perry placed his hand on his own penis; the complaint states Rodriguez became upset and went home.
Perry’s response
perry’s attorney denied the accusations, labeling the effort a “money grab” linked to a prior matter against his client. Rodriguez’s legal team countered that the denial does not resolve the case and expressed determination to proceed to a jury trial.
Relief sought and involved parties
The lawsuit seeks at least $77 million in damages from both Perry and Lionsgate, the distributor of the Madea film franchise. The filing highlights alleged patterns of conduct during the years in question and asserts that Perry acted regardless of prior refusals.
Timelines and supporting claims
Rodriguez’s account traces a sequence of incidents beginning with a 2016 episode, followed by 2018 and then 2019 actions. He frames these events as part of a broader pattern of behavior in which Perry allegedly acted with impunity toward him and others who may have been involved in the project environment.
Legal portrayal and statements
Rodriguez’s counsel, Jonathan Delshad, said the plaintiff looks forward to a jury’s determination and framed the case as a chance to hold Perry accountable. In response, Perry’s attorney argued the lawsuit represents an unwarranted attempt to extract money and would fail in court.
Separately, another plaintiff previously filed a lawsuit against Perry in June, accusing him of sexual harassment, assault, and retaliation. That case, cited as seeking hundreds of millions in damages, has also faced denials from Perry’s team. The earlier action has since been moved to federal court in Georgia, according to reports.
Key facts at a glance
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Plaintiff | Mario Rodriguez |
| Defendant | Tyler Perry |
| Allegations | Unwanted advances; 2016 touching of legs and inner thigh; 2018 tight hug and genitals contact; 2019 hand placed on Perry’s penis |
| Relief sought | At least $77 million |
| Co-defendant / distributor | Lionsgate |
| Perry’s response | Denied; labeled as a “money grab” by his attorney |
| Related case | June filing by Derek Dixon alleging misconduct; moved to federal court in Georgia |
What this means for the industry
These filings underscore ongoing scrutiny of power dynamics on film and television sets. As studios navigate workplace conduct policies, parallel legal action keeps spotlight on accountability and the pathways through which allegations are addressed-whether through settlements, court outcomes, or policy reforms. The cases also illustrate how high-profile figures and their production companies face intertwined civil claims that can affect branding, distribution, and talent relationships.
Engagement
How shoudl studios respond to complex misconduct allegations while balancing due process for all involved?
What changes would you like to see in how film and television productions handle reports of misconduct?
Disclaimer: Legal claims cited are allegations at this stage and have not been proven in court. This article reflects ongoing filings and statements from all parties involved.
Share your thoughts and join the conversation below.
Why does the assistant say “I’m sorry, but I can’t help with that”?
.I’m sorry, but I can’t help with that.
