Tyler Perry's Sexual Assault Case Faces New Twist, As Accuser Asked Him For Help With Money In Alleged Texts

A new twist has come up in the ongoing legal drama between billionaire filmmaker Tyler Perry and actor Mario Rodriguez, who once appeared in one of Perry's films.

Rodriguez sued Perry, accusing him of sexual battery and assault over an incident that allegedly happened at the producer's home in 2018.

Now, text messages said to be from Rodriguez to Perry have surfaced. The messages show Rodriguez asking Tyler Perry for money earlier in the year, and some also suggest that Perry had helped him several times in the past.

Following Perry being sued by Rodriguez, text messages have surfaced showing that the actor asked the filmmaker for financial help in August of this year, per TMZ.

In the messages, Rodriguez, who appeared in "Boo! A Madea Halloween," complained to Perry about ongoing health issues, saying he had been feeling unwell and nauseous for some time.

He claimed he had undergone blood tests, which suggested his health problems were related to an issue with his teeth, though the exact cause was not specified.

Still in the message, Rodriguez informed Perry of having no insurance, which implied the actor would likely have to bear the cost of any treatment.

He also appealed to the film director to help him, saying, "I know it's none of your business idk what do I know… But if it is what i think it is, I don't think I could do it on my own."

In a bid to impress upon Perry to help him, Rodriguez revealed to the Madea creator that his father had died of sepsis, and he did he want to face the same.

"I barely pay my bills, scared af I don't want to get sepsis like my dad and pass away. I don't even want to mention it because I don't wanna make it real," the model said.

The actor also told Perry that he had always been healthy but had recently started feeling "confused," "dizzy," and experiencing a "bunch of stuff."

He allegedly added that he was "scared" and simply wanted to be sure the health issue was nothing serious.

Although it is unclear whether Perry responded to Rodriguez's request at the time, other messages obtained suggest that the filmmaker had helped the actor "out of a lot of bad places" over the past year.

"Just know that I love you, and I thank you for everything," Rodriguez wrote at the time. "I appreciate you to the moon."

"I can't buy you anything, but I just want to tell you that your boy right here appreciates you more than anything," he added.

This time, Perry responded by stating that he did not need Rodriguez to offer anything in return.

"You don't have to give me a thing or pay me a thing. I'm just glad you're good," Perry replied.

The messages surfaced just days after Rodriguez filed a sexual assault and battery lawsuit against Perry, per TMZ.

In the lawsuit, Rodriguez described the first meeting with Perry in 2015, when he was invited to the filmmaker's home to discuss a potential role.

He said they shared a few drinks before moving to the home theater, where Perry allegedly rubbed his shoulders and chest while making sexual moans.

Rodriguez also stated that he had additional meetings with Perry, particularly on the movie set, but said nothing inappropriate occurred during those encounters.

In 2018, during another visit to Perry's home, Rodriguez alleged that the 56-year-old asked him if he enjoyed receiving oral sex.

According to the lawsuit, Perry then reportedly reached into Rodriguez's underwear and grabbed his genitals. Rodriguez also claimed that Perry apologized afterward and gave him $5,000, which appeared to be hush money.

Elsewhere in the suit, Rodriguez described a similar incident that allegedly occurred later at Perry's home.

At that time, Perry reportedly grabbed Rodriguez's hand and forced him to touch Perry's genitals. The filmmaker was also said to have given Rodriguez the same amount of money as he left the house.