Tyler Perry, the filmmaker, is being sued for $260 million for alleged sexual assault and workplace gender violence.
According to TMZ, Derek Dixon, who appeared in Perry’s TV series ‘The Oval’ and ‘Ruthless’, claimed in the lawsuit filed in Los Angeles that Perry exploited his position of power, subjecting him to repeated sexual misconduct.
In the lawsuit, Dixon said he met Perry in 2019. He claimed the producer initially promised to help his career but instead subjected him to “escalating sexual harassment, assault, and battery”.
Dixon alleged that Perry, who had direct control over his employment, salary, and creative opportunities, repeatedly harassed and abused him.
The first incident, according to Dixon, allegedly occurred in January 2020 when Perry invited him to his Atlanta home.
Dixon claimed he consumed too much alcohol and later, while sleeping in a guest room, Perry entered the bed and touched his thighs without consent.
Dixon alleged that he rejected the advances, but Perry persisted, leading to multiple incidents over the following years.
The actor also claimed that the most serious incident allegedly occurred in June 2021 at Tyler’s home while he was in the guest room.
He claimed that he was dressed only in his underwear when Tyler entered the room, tried to give him a goodnight hug, and ended up groping him.
“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,” the lawsuit reads in part.
Matthew Boyd, Tyler’s lawyer, however, denied the allegations, describing them as a “scam”.
“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,” he said.
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