Tyler Perry is pushing to have Mario Rodriguez’s lawsuit thrown out, firmly denying the claims and calling the case baseless.
Back in December, Rodriguez filed a lawsuit accusing Perry of sexual assault, sexual battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The suit seeks $77 million in damages. Now, Perry is fighting back, asking the court to dismiss the case and labeling it a “money grab.”
According to TMZ, Perry maintains that Rodriguez’s allegations “have no basis in fact or law and no merit.” He also claims that after giving Rodriguez a minor role in one of his films, the actor repeatedly asked him for financial help. Perry alleges that once he stopped providing money, Rodriguez began making false accusations.
This latest development follows the circulation of text messages that Rodriguez allegedly sent to Perry, in which he referred to him as a “friend” and requested money to cover dental expenses.
In one of the resurfaced messages, Rodriguez reportedly wrote, “Brother haven’t been feeling OK confused and lil nauseous. I got blood work thinks its my teeth. I know it’s none of your business idk what do I know I promised you I would never ask you for anything, but if it what I think it is, I don’t think I could do it on my own because I barely pay my bills scared af.”
The texts sparked debate online, leading Rodriguez to respond publicly.
“I want to briefly respond to what’s being said about me right now. People are pointing to messages where I was polite, grateful, or vulnerable — and trying to use that to discredit me,” he told PEOPLE in December. “When someone has influence over your career, your income, your future, you don’t feel free. Survivors often stay cordial. They often ask for help when they feel desperate.”
He continued, “That does not mean abuse didn’t happen. Those text messages were sent at a time when I was especially vulnerable, as can be seen from the context. Continued financial support and access are not inconsistent with abuse — they are often part of the power dynamics that follow it.”
