Tyler Perry hit with sexual harassment allegations in $260 million lawsuit

An actor and screenwriter accused Tyler Perry of sexual harassment, alleging in a lawsuit that the media mogul repeatedly made unwanted advances and sought to cover up an assault with an offer to develop a show.

An actor and screenwriter has accused Tyler Perry of sexual harassment, alleging in a lawsuit that the media mogul repeatedly made unwanted advances and sought to cover up an assault with an offer to develop a show.

The 46-page complaint, which was filed last week in Los Angeles County Superior Court and seeks punitive damages totaling $260 million, compares the allegations to those against other well-known entertainment industry figures accused of sexual misconduct.

“Mr. Perry’s success has led him to believe that money and influence can get him whatever he wants,” the complaint says, adding: “Mr. Perry sought the one thing his wealth and influence could not purchase — a sexual relationship with a man who would remain silent.”

In a statement, a lawyer for Perry accused the plaintiff, Derek Dixon, of trying to get close to 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.”

According to the lawsuit, Perry offered Dixon — who at the time worked for an events company — his first acting role in 2019. A few months later, he invited Dixon to his home in Georgia and served him several drinks before he told him to stay in his guest room, according to the suit.