Actor Derek Dixon has filed a $260 million lawsuit against Tyler Perry, accusing him of sexual harassment, assault, and retaliation.
In the complaint filed on Friday, June 13, in Los Angeles, Dixon claims Perry created a “coercive, sexually exploitative” relationship while Dixon was acting in Perry’s TV shows The Oval and Ruthless. Dixon played a character named Dale on both shows.
Dixon says Perry initially offered to help his career, promising to produce his pilot and give him roles but then allegedly began making unwanted sexual advances.
When Dixon didn’t respond to those advances, he claims Perry retaliated by threatening his character’s future on the shows.
Dixon alleges Perry assaulted him multiple times, including at his home in January 2020 and during a cast trip to the Bahamas.
After refusing Perry’s advances, Dixon says Perry hinted that his character would be killed off unless he “kept Perry happy.”
In the season finale, his character was shot four times, something Dixon says Perry used to keep control over him.
Dixon also claims he experienced depression, anxiety, insomnia, and was diagnosed with PTSD. He said a doctor prescribed him antidepressants and confirmed he was suffering from acute stress.
In 2021, Perry allegedly invited Dixon over to talk about producing his show Losing It, but Dixon says he was assaulted again. Dixon later moved to California to distance himself from Perry.
He left The Oval during its final season, which he says cost him about $400,000 in lost income.
Tyler Perry’s lawyer responded by calling the lawsuit a scam, saying the claims were false and that Perry would not be “shaken down.”
Dixon is demanding a jury trial and is suing for various charges, including sexual harassment, assault, emotional distress, and retaliation.
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