LOS ANGELES – Actor Mario Rodriguez has filed a lawsuit against Tyler Perry, claiming sexual assault by the renowned filmmaker and producer. This marks the second recent legal challenge accusing Perry of using his influence in Hollywood to make unwanted sexual advances.

Rodriguez initiated the lawsuit on Thursday in California, alleging that Perry engaged in persistent unwanted sexual conduct, including battery and assault, over several years at Perry’s Los Angeles residence. Rodriguez is seeking a minimum of $77 million in damages. The lawsuit also targets Lionsgate, the distributor of the 2016 film “Boo! A Madea Halloween,” for allegedly ignoring Perry’s purported behavior.

There has been no immediate response from Lionsgate regarding the allegations.

In response, Perry’s legal representative has refuted the claims.

The court documents reveal that Rodriguez’s connection with Perry began in 2014 when a trainer at a Los Angeles Equinox gym informed him that Perry was interested in obtaining his contact information for a potential acting opportunity. Perry later urged Rodriguez to audition for “Boo! A Madea Halloween,” reportedly telling him, “I’m not a bad person to know and have in your corner,” according to the lawsuit.

After Rodriguez was cast, he was invited to Perry’s home, where Perry allegedly touched him inappropriately while they watched a movie. The lawsuit describes additional alleged incidents in 2016, 2018 and 2019, including one encounter in which Perry allegedly attempted to unbuckle Rodriguez’s pants and another in which Perry placed Rodriguez’s hand on his genitals. The complaint says Perry gave Rodriguez $5,000 on multiple occasions following the encounters.

Rodriguez says he resisted the advances and ultimately decided to file suit after learning of similar allegations made by another actor, Derek Dixon.

Dixon sued Perry in June, alleging the filmmaker groped him while Dixon worked on Perry’s television series “The Oval” and “Ruthless.” That lawsuit, which was originally filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, has reportedly since been moved to federal court in Georgia, where Perry’s studio is based.

Rodriguez’s lawsuit includes claims of sexual assault, sexual battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress.