Actor Derek Dixon has filed a lawsuit against Tyler Perry, accusing him of sexual assault and harassment, seeking $260 million in damages.

Dixon, known for his role on Perry’s show “The Oval,” claims the alleged misconduct began after Perry invited him to his Atlanta residence in January 2020. Court documents state Perry made unwanted sexual advances, including getting into bed with him while intoxicated and touching his thighs, which Dixon claims he rejected.

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According to Dixon, Perry initiated contact in 2019 after selecting him from a crowd at an event and asking for his phone number, purportedly for a role. Dixon alleges that after being cast, Perry continued to send sexually explicit messages, including questions about his preferences and remarks about his sexuality.

In 2020, Dixon claims Perry engaged in a sexually charged conversation at Perry’s home, then grabbed him by the throat and made an inappropriate comment, which Dixon pushed away.

Dixon states he feared damaging his career if he spoke out about the harassment and believed complaining could cost him his job.

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The lawsuit details years of alleged sexually explicit messages from Perry to Dixon, aiming to support claims of harassment and assault. Dixon seeks $260 million for quid pro quo harassment, assault, and battery.

Perry’s attorney characterized the suit as a scam and reaffirmed confidence in the case’s failure, stating, “Tyler will not be shaken down and these fabricated claims will be dismissed.”

Perry has not publicly dated since his breakup in 2020 with Gelila Bekele, with whom he shares a son, Aman, born in 2014.