Mr. Perry sought the one thing his wealth and influence could not purchase — a sexual relationship with a man who would remain silent. Perry’s lawyer calls the $260M suit a ‘shakedown
Actor and screenwriter Derek Dixon has filed a $260 million lawsuit against media mogul Tyler Perry, accusing him of sexual harassment, assault, and career manipulation. The 46-page complaint, filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, alleges Perry made repeated unwanted advances, groped Dixon multiple times, and used promises of career advancement to pressure him into silence.
According to the suit, Perry allegedly assaulted Dixon at his Georgia home in 2019 after plying him with drinks, then later harassed him with explicit texts and demands during Dixon’s tenure on Perry’s show The Oval. The suit claims Perry tied Dixon’s job security to their “relationship,” warning him not to speak to castmates about their interactions.
In one alleged 2021 incident, Perry “vigorously grab[bed]” Dixon’s buttocks while he was naked, leaving him “stunned and seized by tremendous fear.” Afterward, Perry’s team offered Dixon a raise and a script deal—which the suit calls a “quid pro quo” to prevent him from coming forward.
Perry’s attorney dismissed the claims as a “scam,” stating, “Tyler will not be shaken down.” Dixon previously filed an EEOC complaint; its status remains unclear.