Tyler Perry and Lionsgate Face $77M Lawsuit on Christmas Day from ‘A Madea Halloween’ Actor, Labeling It a “Money Grab” Says Perry’s Attorney
Legal Action Against Tyler Perry: New Lawsuit Alleges Sexual Assault
In a striking legal development, a $77 million sexual assault and sexual battery lawsuit has been filed against Tyler Perry by a plaintiff represented by the same attorney involved in a previous similar case earlier this year. Perry’s attorney, Alex Spiro, characterized the new suit as another attempt at a financial payout, claiming it lacks merit.
“Having recently failed in another matter against Mr. Perry, the same lawyer has now made yet another demand from more than a decade ago which will also be a failed money grab,” Spiro stated, referring to Mario Rodriguez’s claims against Perry and Lionsgate, the distributor of Boo! A Madea Halloween.
Spiro, who has represented high-profile clients such as Alec Baldwin and Jay-Z, emphasized his intention to undermine the lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court by Jonathan Delshad on behalf of Rodriguez. The suit shares a similar tone and structure with a $260 million action filed in June by Delshad for actor Derek Dixon against Perry.
Rodriguez’s December 25 filing includes a 23-page complaint featuring text message screen grabs and explicit remarks. The allegations, which detail interactions that allegedly occurred eight years ago, include claims that Perry engaged in inappropriate physical conduct.
The lawsuit describes an incident where Perry allegedly reached into Rodriguez’s underwear and made sexually suggestive comments. Additionally, it states that Perry purportedly "stuffed $5,000.00 in Mr. Rodriguez’s pocket" as he awaited transportation home from Perry’s residence.
Rodriguez claims to have suffered “PTSD…psychological, emotional and economic injuries” from Perry’s alleged misconduct, prompting him and Delshad to include Lionsgate in the complaint. The suit argues that the studio should have been aware of Perry’s prior allegations and suggests that their inaction enabled the alleged assaults.
In a statement, Rodriguez expressed that he felt compelled to share his story after learning about Dixon’s lawsuit in June, initiating his own legal action. According to the filing, Rodriguez felt that Perry was misusing his power and influence over aspiring actors.
Interestingly, the filing does not include certain text exchanges purportedly between Perry and Rodriguez that could further illuminate the events in question.
Regarding Spiro’s comments about previous lawsuits, it is worth noting that Delshad’s case for Dixon has not faltered as suggested. Initially filed in California state court, the Dixon case has faced a complicated legal journey, recently transitioning to federal court in Georgia, Perry’s home state.
As the legal battles unfold, Perry could be contending with serious accusations on multiple fronts, which may have significant implications for his career. With 2026 on the horizon, it remains to be seen how these high-stakes cases will progress in the courts.
