Tyler Perry Denies Avoiding Deposition Over Sexual Orientation Questions in $77M Assault Case

​LOS ANGELES — The high-stakes legal warfare between Hollywood billionaire Tyler Perry and actor Mario Rodriguez has escalated significantly in a California courtroom.

​According to new court filings submitted to Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Brock T. Hammond, Rodriguez’s legal team is seeking $7,370 in monetary sanctions against Perry. The motion alleges that the media mogul has engaged in a “pattern of commitments and reneges” to actively avoid sitting for a deposition that Rodriguez has attempted to schedule since April 14.

​The Conflict Over Spoken Questions

​At the core of the immediate stalemate is a fierce disagreement regarding the boundaries of the cross-examination. Rodriguez’s attorney, Jonathan Delshad, alleges that Perry’s legal team insisted the filmmaker would only participate if given a guarantee that he would not be questioned about his sexual orientation—specifically, whether he is or has ever been sexually attracted to men.

​Perry’s defense team has countered that such lines of questioning are entirely “irrelevant and inflammatory” to the civil dispute. In an effort to bypass the gridlock, Delshad reportedly offered a compromise: if Perry legally stipulated to having a sexual interest in men prior to meeting the plaintiff, the deposition would bypass the topic entirely. Perry’s attorneys rejected the arrangement.

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​Rodriguez argues that Perry’s sexual history is relevant to establishing a pattern, pointing toward a separate sexual assault lawsuit brought against the filmmaker last year by The Oval actor Derek Dixon.

​A Furious Defense Counters ‘Shakedown’

​Perry’s high-profile defense attorney, Alex Spiro, fired back sharply at the new motions, denying that the studio executive has ducked his legal obligations.

​”As we said from the outset, this is a shakedown and now a shakedown and a frivolous motion,” Spiro stated. “Tyler did not fail to appear for a deposition nor refuse any line of questioning. We will seek sanctions.”

​Perry’s legal defense characterizes the $77 million lawsuit as a transparent, coordinated “money-grab” orchestrated by Delshad, who represents both Rodriguez and Dixon.

‘Invisible Chains’ vs. Financial Survival

​The defense argues that the lawsuit lacks merit because Rodriguez maintained an ongoing, highly amicable relationship with Perry long after the alleged abuse ceased. According to text screenshots obtained by reporters, Rodriguez repeatedly messaged Perry expressing deep gratitude and friendship, writing in one exchange that he appreciated the director “to the moon.” Perry’s team claims the accusations were only fabricated after Perry eventually declined to fulfill further requests for money.

​Rodriguez has publicly defended his continuous contact with the billionaire, describing the psychological dynamic as “invisible chains.” He stated that when an individual controls your mentorship and career opportunities while you are struggling to feed a family, playing nice and accepting financial help becomes a mechanism for basic survival rather than a sign of consent.

​A judicial hearing regarding the deposition mandates and the requested financial sanctions is currently scheduled for July 22.