The legal battle involving filmmaker and media mogul Tyler Perry has intensified following new court filings in a $77 million lawsuit brought against him by actor Derek Dixon Rodriguez.

According to court documents, Rodriguez alleges that Perry’s legal team sought to restrict certain lines of questioning during a planned deposition, including inquiries about whether Perry is, or has ever been, sexually attracted to men. Rodriguez argues that such questions are relevant to the case, particularly in light of allegations previously made by other male accusers.

Perry’s lawyers, however, reportedly described the proposed questions as “irrelevant and inflammatory,” maintaining that they have no bearing on the issues before the court.

Responding to the latest motion, Perry’s attorney, Alex Spiro, strongly rejected the claims. In a statement to TMZ, Spiro described the lawsuit and subsequent filings as an attempt to pressure his client.

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

The dispute is part of a broader lawsuit in which Rodriguez is seeking $77 million in damages. He has accused Perry of sexual assault, sexual battery and other forms of misconduct.

In the lawsuit, Rodriguez claims he first met Perry at a gym in 2015 and later secured a role in the film Boo! A Madea Halloween. He alleges that during a visit to Perry’s home in 2018, the filmmaker asked him personal questions before allegedly making unwanted sexual advances.

Rodriguez further claims that Perry later apologised and gave him $5,000. He also alleges that another encounter involved additional inappropriate conduct and a second payment of $5,000.

Perry has categorically denied all allegations. His legal team argues that Rodriguez continued to communicate with him after the alleged incidents and frequently sought financial assistance.

According to Perry’s defence, the accusations only emerged after he declined further requests for money. TMZ previously reported that alleged text messages between the two men showed Rodriguez requesting financial assistance for dental treatment and expressing gratitude for previous support.

The case remains before the courts, with both parties maintaining sharply different accounts of the events and continuing to contest the claims and evidence presented in the lawsuit.