Tyler Perry Fights Mario Rodriguez Over Private Text Messages in $77 Million Sexual Assault Lawsuit
Tyler Perry is fighting his sexual assault accuser, Mario Rodriguez, in court over private text messages, tmz.com reported on October 29, 2026. The legal dispute centers on whether Rodriguez has the right to release confidential communications that Perry turned over during the discovery process.
According to court documents, Perry argued that the messages should remain private because they involve financial matters and conversations with associates who have nothing to do with the lawsuit. Perry stated that he and his associates expected their discussions to remain confidential and that disclosure would cause unnecessary annoyance and embarrassment. Rodriguez has not yet responded to the issue in his own court filings.
Lawsuit Allegations and Financial Claims Dating Back to 2015
The underlying legal battle stems from a $77 million lawsuit filed by Rodriguez against Perry. Rodriguez alleged that he met the director at a gym in 2015, which eventually led to a role in the film Boo! A Madea Halloween. In the complaint, Rodriguez claimed that Perry assaulted him during a visit to the director’s home in 2018, asking if he liked oral sex before grabbing his genitals. The lawsuit alleged that Perry subsequently gave Rodriguez $5,000 and apologized.
Rodriguez further claimed that Perry forced his hand onto Rodriguez’s penis during a subsequent hangout, prompting another alleged $5,000 payment. Perry and his company have denied all allegations of wrongdoing. According to Perry’s defense, Rodriguez continued communicating with him long after the alleged incidents and only turned litigious when Perry stopped providing financial assistance.
This dispute follows earlier courtroom clashes between the two parties. Perry previously fought Rodriguez in court over whether he was required to answer questions regarding his sexuality during a deposition. At that time, Perry’s attorney, Alex Spiro, characterized the entire legal action as a shakedown.
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