260 Million Lawsuit Filed Against Tyler Perry Alleging Sexual Harassment and Assault

Tyler Perry faces a $260 million lawsuit from a former employee over allegations of sexual assault, which Perry has strongly denied.

On June 13, actor and director Derek Dixon filed suit, accusing Perry of quid pro quo sexual harassment, assault, and retaliation. The complaint alleges that Perry initially promised Dixon career opportunities, including producing his pilot and casting him in a show, but then subjected him to escalating sexual harassment, assault, and battery when Dixon did not reciprocate Perry’s unwanted advances.

The lawsuit explains that Dixon and Perry first met in 2019 when Dixon was employed by an event planning company hired to organize Tyler Perry Studios’ grand opening. Dixon claims he was given a role during the event that involved frequent interactions with Perry, and that they exchanged phone numbers afterward.

According to the filing, Perry continued contacting Dixon over the following months, sometimes making suggestive comments, but also promising to help him find employment and improve his life. In November 2019, Perry allegedly offered him a minor role in Ruthless.

Dixon asserts that Perry sexually assaulted him at his home in January 2020. The following month, Perry supposedly offered him a series regular role on *The Oval*.

The lawsuit alleges Perry made it clear that if Dixon ignored his advances, his character would “die” in the show’s storyline. Dixon’s character, Dale, was shot four times in the chest at the end of his first season, with Perry allegedly implying this was punishment for Dixon not “pleasing” him.

The situation reportedly deteriorated after that episode, signaling a potential end to Dixon’s role and employment.

After months of alleged abuse, Dixon claims he was diagnosed with PTSD and began taking antidepressants due to the emotional toll.

In early 2023, Dixon reportedly moved to Santa Monica to distance himself from Perry. However, the lawsuit states that Perry continued to harass him by promising to produce his own show, seemingly in an effort to prevent Dixon from exposing what he describes as misconduct.

Dixon left the cast of The Oval during its final season.

Perry’s legal team has denied all allegations, with his attorney stating that the claims are baseless.

“This appears to be an individual attempting to scam Tyler Perry,” said attorney Matthew Boyd. “We are confident these fabricated claims will be dismissed, and Tyler will not be shaken.”