US filmmaker Tyler Perry faces explosive lawsuit as actor alleges sexual assault
US film magnate Tyler Perry has been accused of sexual harassment and assault and sued for $260 million by actor Derek Dixon.
Dixon is part of Perry's TV show The Oval and filed the suit on 13 June.
The actor accused Perry of creating 'a coercive, sexually exploitative dynamic,' according to People.
According to the suit, Perry initially promised Dixon a 'career advancement and creative opportunities, such as producing his pilot and casting him in his show, only to subject him to escalating sexual harassment, assault and battery, and professional retaliation when Mr Dixon did not reciprocate Mr Perry's unwanted advances.'
After meeting Perry in 2019, Dixon got a small role in one of his projects. In 2020, Perry invited Dixon to his Atlanta home, according to TMZ.
This is where Perry allegedly tried to make a sexual advance, which Dixon rejected; however, Perry still remained interested.
Dixon also claimed Perry sent him sexually suggestive texts and made more physical advances, too, including groping his butt and grabbing him by the throat.
Dixon finally filed a complaint with the Equal Employment and Opportunity Commission in June 2024 and left The Oval due to the alleged sexual harassment.
Perry's attorney, Matthew Boyd, told US media:
'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.'
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