The sexy male model accused of stalking Atlanta movie mogul Tyler Perry fired back with a multi-million dollar lawsuit over a barrage of gay sexual harassment he says he faced while working at Perry's studio.
Joshua Sole alleges that during his three-month employment at Tyler Perry Studios, he was subjected to “severe and pervasive sexual harassment” and retaliation when he complained. The 17-page federal lawsuit, filed May 13, alleges that Sole's supervisor – Brett Hendrix, a continuity coordinator at Tyler Perry Studios – sought sex from Sole, inappropriately touched him, sexted him, offered him marijuana for sex, called him “baby” and invited him to his Campbellton Road home for sex.
“[Sole] was obligated to work in an atmosphere which was hostile to males by virtue of unsolicited and un-welcomed sexual advances, sexual comments, sex based comments, sexual innuendo and other sexually charged conduct,” according to the lawsuit.
The harassment created a working environment that was “intimidating, insulting, and abusive to male employees” and Sole was “embarrassed, humiliated and suffered damage to his emotional health.” The lawsuit is seeking a trial and $5 million in damages and names Perry, his studios and Hendrix as plaintiffs.
The lawsuit also claims that Perry libeled Sole in a Nov. 7, 2014 Facebook post. That's when Perry referred to him as “mentally disturbed.”
“Defendant Tyler Perry's actions constitute libel, and as such, Plaintiff is entitled to special damages. Plaintiff has suffered anxiety, depression and emotional distress from Defendant Tyler Perry's statements,” according to the lawsuit.
Sole's suit comes six months after Atlanta police arrested him when he barricaded himself in a room at Tyler Perry Studios in south Atlanta and demanded to see Perry. He later proclaimed his innocence.
The arrest, on Oct. 30, came less than three months after Sole started working at Perry's studios. After the arrest, Perry sued Sole for $125,000, accusing him of harassing him, assault and trespassing.
Sole's arrest sparked speculation on gossip blogs that it was the messy end to a troubled romance between the model and the mogul. Online commenters claim Sole is gay and Perry? Well. Ahem.
With Sole's sexy pics, it's easy to see why Perry would be interested.
