Actor and writer Derek Dixon has slammed Tyler Perry with a $260 million lawsuit. He accuses the filmmaker of sexual harassment, groping, and emotional abuse.
Dixon filed the 46-page lawsuit at the Los Angeles County Superior Court. The case outlines events that occurred between 2019 and 2021.
He claims the harassment began shortly after he joined The Oval and Ruthless. Both shows are Perry’s productions.
Dixon says Perry sent him explicit messages and made repeated sexual advances. He alleges Perry groped him multiple times.
One incident allegedly took place at Perry’s home in Georgia. Dixon claims Perry invited him over, offered drinks, and groped him in a guest room.
“Mr. Perry sought the one thing his wealth and influence could not buy — a silent sexual relationship,” the lawsuit states.
Dixon Says Perry Used Career Promises to Silence Him
Dixon accuses Perry of using his dreams to gain control. He says Perry’s team praised his work and promised to develop his script Losing It.
“They used my dream against me,” Dixon said in a statement.
He claims his role on The Oval ended after he rejected Perry’s advances. Dixon says he walked away due to stress and lost $400,000 in income.
The lawsuit also lists Tyler Perry Studios, BET, and Paramount Global as defendants. Dixon says these companies ignored the abuse and allowed it to continue.
Perry’s Legal Team Calls Lawsuit a Scam
Tyler Perry’s lawyer, Matthew Boyd, called the suit a “complete scam.” He says Dixon made false claims to gain money and attention.
Boyd insists no abuse happened. He claims Dixon tried to get close to Perry to boost his career.
The lawsuit compares Perry to other powerful men accused of sexual misconduct in the entertainment industry.
Dixon says he filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) before the lawsuit. That outcome remains unknown, but the case may head to trial.
