Tyler Perry’s accuser Mario Rodriguez asked a judge to sanction the director after he failed to attend a scheduled deposition. Mario’s attorneys were expected to ask Tyler about his sexual orientation. According to TMZ, Tyler didn’t show up for the hearing.

Mario claimed Tyler would only sit for a deposition if lawyers didn’t ask him questions regarding his preference for men. Mario allegedly said Tyler’s legal team argued that his preference isn’t relevant to Mario’s lawsuit alleging Tyler assaulted him repeatedly for years.

Mario, who appeared in “Tyler Perry’s Boo! A Madea Halloween”, claimed in court documents that Tyler made unwanted sexual advances toward him. He demanded $77 million in damages.

Tyler’s attorney, Alex Spiro, told TMZ, “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.”

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 Atlanta area 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.

Lionsgate, which distributes Tyler’s films, mocked the aspiring actor in a motion requesting 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 added: “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.”