A $260 million lawsuit accusing American filmmaker and media mogul Tyler Perry of sexual assault and workplace harassment has ignited a legal firestorm, with Perry’s legal team flatly rejecting the claims as a calculated attempt at extortion.

The suit, filed by actor Derek Dixon—best known for his role as Dale in Perry’s BET political drama The Oval—alleges a prolonged pattern of sexual misconduct, including multiple incidents of assault, retaliation, and quid pro quo harassment, beginning in 2019.

According to court filings, Dixon first met Perry during the launch of Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta, where Dixon was part of the event planning crew. The actor claims Perry pursued contact afterward, which he says escalated into inappropriate communication and coercive advances, eventually leading to what he describes as multiple incidents of sexual assault at Perry’s Georgia home, private trailer, and even a cast party on Perry’s private island.

Dixon says he endured the behavior out of fear for his professional future, alleging that job offers and on-screen roles were tied to maintaining a personal relationship with Perry. He further claims that he suffered emotional distress, anxiety, and had to be prescribed antidepressants due to the ongoing pressure and harassment.

Despite the gravity of the accusations, Perry’s legal representatives are pushing back forcefully.

“This is an individual who got close to Tyler Perry for what now appears to be nothing more than setting up a scam,” said attorney Matthew Boyd in a statement to TMZ. “Tyler will not be shaken down, and we are confident these fabricated claims of harassment will fail.”

Perry has yet to personally respond to the lawsuit. However, his legal team has signaled their readiness to challenge what they describe as a fraudulent and opportunistic lawsuit.

Dixon’s legal representatives, for their part, declined to comment beyond the contents of the court filing, telling ABC News: “At this point, Mr. Dixon has no comment. We believe the complaint speaks for itself.”

The allegations come at a time when questions about accountability and power continue to reverberate across the entertainment industry. If the claims proceed to trial, the case could mark one of the most high-profile legal battles involving a Black entertainment figure in recent memory.

For now, both sides appear entrenched, with the case likely to move into a contentious pre-trial phase as Perry’s legal team prepares to counter what it says is a “deliberate attempt to destroy a reputation built over decades.”


By WafricNews Desk.