A legal battle involving filmmaker and media mogul Tyler Perry has intensified after actor Mario Rodriguez accused him of refusing to sit for a deposition unless he received assurances that he would not be questioned about his sexual orientation.
According to court documents cited by TMZ, Rodriguez is seeking sanctions against Perry, claiming the filmmaker has repeatedly failed to appear for a deposition that his legal team has been attempting to conduct since April 14.
Rodriguez alleges that Perry and his attorneys insisted that he would only participate if lawyers agreed not to ask whether he is, or has ever been, sexually attracted to men.
According to the filing, Perry’s legal team argued that such questions would be irrelevant to the case and unnecessarily inflammatory.
However, Rodriguez argues that the issue is relevant, pointing to allegations made by other male accusers in the past.
Perry’s legal team has strongly rejected those claims.
Attorney Alex Spiro, representing Perry, dismissed the allegations and accused Rodriguez of attempting to exploit the situation.
“As we said from the outset, this is a shakedown and now a shakedown and a frivolous motion,” Spiro told TMZ.
“Tyler did not fail to appear for a deposition nor refuse any line of questioning. We will seek sanctions.”
Allegations Dating Back to 2018
The dispute arises from a lawsuit filed by Rodriguez seeking $77 million in damages.
In the complaint, the actor accuses Perry of sexual assault, sexual battery and other forms of misconduct.
Rodriguez claims he first met Perry at a gym in 2015 and alleges that the relationship later helped him secure a role in the film Boo! A Madea Halloween.
According to the lawsuit, Perry allegedly assaulted him during a visit to the filmmaker’s home in 2018 after asking intimate questions and then grabbing his genitals.
Rodriguez claims Perry later apologized and gave him $5,000.
He further alleges that during another encounter, Perry forced his hand onto Perry’s genitals and subsequently provided him with another $5,000.
Perry Denies All Allegations
Perry has categorically denied all accusations.
His lawyers contend that Rodriguez continued communicating with him after the alleged incidents and repeatedly sought financial assistance.
According to Perry’s legal team, the allegations only emerged after he refused additional requests for money.
TMZ previously reported obtaining alleged text messages between the two men that purportedly show Rodriguez requesting financial help for dental treatment and expressing gratitude for earlier assistance provided by Perry.
The lawsuit remains ongoing, with both parties continuing to dispute the allegations and the circumstances surrounding the case.
No court has ruled on the merits of the claims, and the allegations against Perry have not been proven.
