Tyler Perry Speaks Out On $260 Million Sexual Harassment & Assault Lawsuit

Tyler Perry is speaking out on a $260 million lawsuit accusing him of sexual harassment and assault. The Hollywood mogul has denied actor Derek Dixon’s claims that Perry engaged in alleged misconduct and retaliation against him before and during Dixon’s time on Perry’s shows “Ruthless” and “The Oval.” The June 13 complaint, filed in Los Angeles and obtained by Access Hollywood, alleges that Perry promised Dixon “career advancement and creative opportunities, such as producing his pilot and casting him in his show, only to subject him to escalating sexual harassment, assault and battery, and professional retaliation when Mr. Dixon did not reciprocate Mr. Perry’s unwanted advances.” An attorney for Perry and his production company denied the allegations in a statement to Access, claiming that Dixon is “an individual who got close to Tyler Perry for what now appears to be nothing more than setting up a scam.” The statement went on to note that Perry “will not be shaken down” and that his counsel is “confident these fabricated claims of harassment will fail.” When asked for comment, Dixon’s legal team told Access that at this time they believe the complaint “speaks for itself.”