Tyler Perry's Legal Battle with Accuser Mario Rodriguez Intensifies
Mario Rodriguez claims Tyler Perry's legal team insists he won't appear for deposition unless questions about his sexual orientation are off the table, while Perry's lawyers deny these claims.
Tyler Perry's legal team is intensifying its defense in an ongoing legal dispute with Mario Rodriguez. The situation has been evolving as Perry, a prominent filmmaker, has been contesting allegations made by Rodriguez, a model and aspiring actor known for a minor role in the film "Boo! A Madea Halloween." Rodriguez filed a lawsuit against Perry in late 2025, accusing him of sexual assault, sexual battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
The lawsuit details that Rodriguez met Perry through a mutual acquaintance in 2015, which led to a professional relationship with the entertainment mogul. Rodriguez alleges that during this time, Perry made repeated unwanted sexual advances under the guise of mentorship and discussions about potential acting roles. Perry has denied these allegations, with his attorney, Alex Spiro, describing the lawsuit as a mere attempt to extract money and asserting that evidence in the case contradicts Rodriguez's claims.
Recently, TMZ reported that Rodriguez claimed Perry would not participate in a deposition unless there was a guarantee that questions regarding his sexual orientation would not be posed. However, Perry's legal representatives have countered this assertion. Court documents reportedly obtained by TMZ indicate that Rodriguez has sought to have Perry sanctioned for not appearing at a deposition. Rodriguez asserted that Perry's lawyer informed him that Perry would only agree to appear if they could avoid questions regarding his sexual attraction to men. Rodriguez also highlighted that Perry has faced similar accusations in the past.
Perry's legal team contends that inquiries into his sexuality could devolve into an irrelevant "witch hunt." Alex Spiro, Perry's lawyer, stated to TMZ, "As we said from the outset, this is a shakedown and now a shakedown and a frivolous motion. Tyler did not fail to appear for a deposition nor refuse any line of questioning. We will seek sanctions."
