Lionsgate mocked Tyler Perry’s accuser Mario Rodriguez in court documents. Mario is one of the men suing Tyler for sexual assault.
According to the documents, obtained by TMZ, Mario was belittled by the film distributor in its motion to be dismissed from the lawsuit.
Lionsgate said Mario “spent less than a week playing ‘Frat Guy #10′” in Tyler’s “Madea” film. The company said Mario admitted there was no misconduct during his time on set, and Mario himself claimed the alleged assault occurred at Tyler’s home.
Lionsgate says “now, tens years later, [Mario] is suing Lionsgate for negligent retention regarding alleged sexual advances [Tyler] allegedly made towards him at Tyler’s private residence (not on Lionsgate property or project) years after the shoot wrapped.”
Lionsgate asked the judge to dismiss the lawsuit against it.
Mario, who appeared in “Boo! A Madea Halloween”, claimed in court documents that Tyler made unwanted sexual advances toward him. He demanded $77 million in damages.
Mario says he was first approached in 2014 by a trainer at a gym, who said Tyler wanted Mario’s phone number to talk to him about an acting role.
After Mario was cast in the film, Tyler allegedly invited him to his home where Mario claims he was touched inappropriately. The incidents allegedly occurred between 2014 and 2019.
Mario claims Tyler paid him $5,000 on several occasions following the alleged incidents. Despite these incidents, Mario continued to visit Tyler’s home.
