Tyler Perry, American actor and filmmaker, has been sued for $260 million over alleged s*xual assault and gender-based workplace violence.
Gatekeepers News reports that Thirty Mile Zone (TMZ), a US-based celebrity news and entertainment media outlet, revealed that the suit was filed by Derek Dixon, who featured in Perry’s TV series ‘The Oval’ and ‘Ruthless’.
According to court documents, Dixon stated he first met Perry in 2019. He alleged that Perry initially offered to support his acting career but instead subjected him to
escalating s*xual harassment, assault, and battery.
Dixon further claimed that Perry who had direct influence over his employment, salary, and creative opportunities, used his authority to repeatedly harass and abuse him.
The actor alleged that the first incident took place in January 2020 at Perry’s Atlanta residence. Dixon said he was intoxicated and asleep in a guest room when Perry got into bed with him and touched his thighs without consent.
Despite resisting Perry’s advances, Dixon said the misconduct continued over time. He said the most serious incident occurred in June 2021, again at Perry’s home, where he was in his underwear when Perry allegedly entered his room under the pretext of giving him a goodnight hug but instead groped him.
The lawsuit details multiple alleged assaults, including an occasion where Perry allegedly removed Dixon’s clothing, groped his buttocks, and attempted to force himself on him.
It stated, “ On multiple occasions, Mr. Perry sexually assaulted Mr. Dixon, including one instance where he forcibly pulled off Mr. Dixon’s clothing, groped his buttocks, and attempted to force himself on Dixon.”
Perry has denied all allegations through his legal counsel, Matthew Boyd, saying it is an attempted scam.
He said, “This is an individual who got close to Tyler Perry for what now appears to be nothing more than setting up a scam. But Tyler will not be shaken down, and we are confident these fabricated claims of harassment will fail.”
