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Mario Rodriguez filed the lawsuit Thursday in California,
alleging Perry subjected him to repeated unwanted sexual
advances over several years, including sexual battery and
assault at Perry’s Los Angeles home. Rodriguez is seeking at
least $77 million in damages and also has sued Lionsgate, which
distributed the 2016 film, accusing the studio of turning a
blind eye to Perry’s alleged misconduct.
Lionsgate did not immediately respond to an email seeking
comment.
In a statement, Perry's lawyer denied the allegations.
According to the complaint, Rodriguez was approached in 2014 by
a trainer at an Equinox gym in Los Angeles who said Perry wanted
his phone number to discuss an acting role. Perry later
encouraged Rodriguez to audition for “Boo! A Madea Halloween,”
telling him, “I’m not a bad person to know and have in your
corner,” the lawsuit claims.
After Rodriguez was cast, he was invited to Perry’s home, where
Perry allegedly touched him inappropriately while they watched a
movie. The lawsuit describes additional alleged incidents in
2016, 2018 and 2019, including one encounter in which Perry
allegedly attempted to unbuckle Rodriguez’s pants and another in
which Perry placed Rodriguez’s hand on his genitals. The
complaint says Perry gave Rodriguez $5,000 on multiple occasions
following the encounters.
Rodriguez says he resisted the advances and ultimately decided
to file suit after learning of similar allegations made by
another actor, Derek Dixon.
Dixon sued Perry in June, alleging the filmmaker groped him
while Dixon worked on Perry’s television series “The Oval” and
“Ruthless.” That lawsuit, which was originally filed in Los
Angeles Superior Court, has reportedly since been moved to
federal court in Georgia, where Perry's studio is based.
Rodriguez’s lawsuit includes claims of sexual assault, sexual
battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
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