Tyler Perry’s legal battle with actor Mario Rodriguez has taken a new turn after Rodriguez accused the filmmaker of refusing to sit for a deposition unless he is guaranteed he will not be questioned about his s3xual orientation.
According to court documents cited by TMZ, Rodriguez is seeking sanctions against Perry, claiming the media mogul has failed to appear for a deposition that he has been attempting to conduct since April 14.
Rodriguez alleges that Perry and his legal team insisted 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 lawyers argued that such questions are “irrelevant and inflammatory” to the case. However, Rodriguez disputes that position, arguing that the subject is relevant in light of allegations made by other male accusers in the past. Perry’s legal team has strongly denied the claims.
Responding to the motion, Perry’s attorney, Alex Spiro, told 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.”
The dispute stems from a lawsuit filed by Rodriguez, who is seeking $77 million in damages and has accused Perry of sexual assault, sexual battery and other misconduct. In the lawsuit, Rodriguez claims he first met Perry at a gym in 2015, an encounter he says later helped him secure a role in the film Boo! A Madea Halloween.
Rodriguez alleges that Perry s3xually assaulted him during a visit to the filmmaker’s home in 2018. According to the lawsuit, Perry allegedly asked him intimate questions before grabbing his genitals. Rodriguez further claims Perry later apologised and gave him $5,000. He also alleges that during another encounter, Perry forced his hand onto Perry’s genitals and again gave him $5,000, according to court filings.
Perry has denied all allegations. His legal team argues that Rodriguez continued communicating with him after the alleged incidents and frequently sought financial assistance. Perry maintains that the allegations only surfaced after he declined further requests for money.
TMZ previously reported obtaining alleged text messages between the two men, which purportedly show Rodriguez requesting financial help for dental treatment and thanking Perry for previous assistance. The case remains before the courts, with both sides continuing to dispute the allegations and circumstances surrounding the lawsuit.