Table of contents
- Quick summary
- The new lawsuit — essentials you should know
- What Mario Rodriguez alleges, in his words
- How this relates to Derek Dixon’s earlier claim
- Tyler Perry’s response and the legal posture so far
- Why Lionsgate is named and what that could mean
- Legal mechanics: claims, damages and burden of proof
- Industry impact — reputation, projects and business risk
- What to watch next — timing and likely procedural steps
- Reader poll (interactive)
- FAQs (short answers)
- Bottom line and disclaimer
1. Quick summary (Actor Mario Rodriguez Sues Tyler Perry for Sexual Assault)
Actor and model Mario Rodriguez filed a civil complaint Dec. 25, 2025, accusing Tyler Perry of repeated unwanted sexual advances and seeking roughly $77 million in damages.
The suit says alleged incidents occurred between 2014 and 2019, some at Perry’s Los Angeles home, and names Lionsgate as a co-defendant.
2. The new lawsuit — essentials you should know
Rodriguez’s lawyer is Jonathan J. Delshad, the same attorney who represented Derek Dixon in an earlier suit against Perry.
The complaint includes counts such as sexual assault, sexual battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
3. What Mario Rodriguez alleges, in his words
Rodriguez says he was recruited after a trainer at an Equinox gym gave Perry his number and that Perry used career promises to press sexual advances.
The filing asserts that on at least one occasion Perry offered Rodriguez $5,000 after an alleged encounter and made additional promises of support.
4. How this relates to Derek Dixon’s earlier claim
This is the second public lawsuit in 2025 alleging similar patterns of behavior by Perry; Derek Dixon filed a separate complaint earlier this year seeking roughly $260 million.
Both suits are being litigated publicly and have the same lawyer in Delshad, which observers note could shape how claims are coordinated or sequenced.
5. Tyler Perry’s response and the legal posture so far
Perry’s attorney, Alex Spiro, called the Rodriguez filing a “failed money grab,” and Perry has publicly denied wrongdoing in the earlier Dixon matter as well.
Legal representatives for Lionsgate have not yet issued a public comment on the new complaint.
6. Why Lionsgate is named and what that could mean
Rodriguez includes Lionsgate as a defendant, alleging the distributor ignored or failed to address misconduct connected to the 2016 film Boo! A Madea Halloween.
Naming a studio raises questions about corporate liability, the scope of on-set responsibility, and whether distributors face exposure for principals’ off-camera conduct.
7. Legal mechanics: claims, damages and burden of proof
Civil suits like Rodriguez’s require plaintiffs to prove claims by a preponderance of evidence; damages requests — even large ones — are often negotiated or subject to proof at trial.
The complaint’s factual specifics (dates, locations, corroborating communications) will be critical in discovery and any depositions of key witnesses.
8. Industry impact — reputation, projects and business risk
High-profile allegations can affect studios, distribution deals and corporate sponsorship even before court resolution; reputational harm is a calculable business risk.
Executives and partners typically weigh litigation exposure, public relations, and contract clauses when deciding whether to continue collaborations.
9. What to watch next — timing and likely procedural steps
Expect motions over jurisdiction and venue, early discovery demands for text messages and financial records, and likely depositions of the plaintiff and principal witnesses.
Courts may also entertain requests for temporary protective orders or confidentiality over certain materials; resolution timelines can stretch months or years.
11. FAQs (short answers)
Q: Has Tyler Perry been criminally charged? A: As of the filing, these are civil lawsuits; no public criminal charges have been reported in connection to these allegations.
Q: Does a large damages request mean the claim is strong? A: Not necessarily — plaintiffs often seek large sums to reflect punitive damages and to anchor settlement talks.
12. Bottom line and Disclaimer
Bottom line: Mario Rodriguez’s suit is the latest high-profile civil allegation against Tyler Perry and adds legal complexity after Derek Dixon’s earlier complaint; both matters are contested and Perry denies wrongdoing.
Disclaimer: This TrenBuzz article reports on public court filings and contemporary news reporting as of December 26, 2025. It summarizes allegations contained in civil complaints and does not assert the truth of those allegations. Readers should treat claims as allegations until proven in court and consult primary filings or court records for legal particulars.