Tyler Perry Denies Sexual Assault Allegations, Calls $77 Million Lawsuit a ‘Money Grab’
Tyler Perry Denies Sexual Assault Allegations, Calls $77 Million Lawsuit a ‘Money Grab’
Elizabeth Rosner, Sarah JonesTue, March 3, 2026 at 7:17 PM UTC
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Tyler Perry and Mario RodriguezCredit: Prince Williams/FilmMagic;Rob Latour/Variety/Penske Media/Getty -
Tyler Perry denied “each and every allegation” in a newly filed court response to a sexual assault lawsuit from Mario Rodriguez and argued the claims are legally deficient
Perry’s legal team described the lawsuit as a fabricated attempt to extract money after he allegedly stopped providing Rodriguez financial assistance, while Rodriguez is seeking $77 million in damages
Rodriguez, who had a minor role in Boo! A Madea Halloween, alleges Perry made unwanted sexual advances and assaulted him — claims Perry denies as he seeks to move the case to federal court
Tyler Perry is denying sexual assault allegations in a newly filed court response, calling a $77 million lawsuit against him a “money grab.”
In an answer filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court on Feb. 27, Perry denied “each and every allegation” made by Mario Rodriguez and laid out 19 affirmative defenses.
The 56-year-old's attorneys argue the complaint fails to state valid legal claims, that Rodriguez did not suffer damages and that any alleged contact was consensual.
The response goes further, describing the lawsuit as a fabricated attempt to extract money after Perry allegedly stopped providing Rodriguez with financial assistance.
Tyler Perry and Mario RodriguezCredit: Randy Shropshire/Getty; John Parra/WireImage
According to the filing, Rodriguez had a “very minor role” in one Perry film about a decade ago and later repeatedly asked for help covering expenses such as housing, medical services and unpaid bills.
Perry is also seeking to move the case to federal court. The filing states that he and Lionsgate intend to remove the action to the United States District Court for the Central District of California.
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Rodriguez’s initial lawsuit, obtained by PEOPLE, paints a very different picture. He alleges that Perry sexually assaulted him and made unwanted advances while promising acting opportunities. Rodriguez appeared as “Frat Guy #10” in Perry’s 2016 film Boo! A Madea Halloween.
In the complaint, Rodriguez claims Perry invited him to his home under the guise of discussing work and, during one alleged incident in 2018, grabbed him despite repeated requests to stop.
He further alleges Perry told him, “If you were to just be with me, I would take care of you,” and says that after two incidents Perry apologized and gave him $5,000. Rodriguez is seeking $77 million in damages.
Perry has denied the allegations. His attorney, Alex Spiro, said in a Dec. 26 statement that the claims are “another demand from more than a decade ago which will also be a failed money grab.”
Rodriguez is represented by Jonathan J. Delshad, who also represents Derek Dixon in a separate lawsuit against Perry. Dixon, who starred in Perry’s series The Oval, filed a $260 million lawsuit in June alleging sexual harassment, assault and retaliation, which Perry denies. Delshad has said Dixon’s claims “are alive and well” after being moved from California to Georgia.
PEOPLE has reached out to representatives for both parties for additional comment.
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
