Tyler Perry told the court that actor Derek Dixon’s lawsuit accusing him of sexual assault is “profoundly disappointing, cynical and — most of all — false,” Us Weekly can exclusively report.
Perry’s legal team filed court documents on October 1, calling out the claims in Dixon’s case, where he is seeking $260 million in damages from Perry, 56, and his production company over sexual misconduct by the famous director.
In his filing, Perry said Dixon’s lawsuit draws, “on Hollywood stereotypes and the bad acts of others, Dixon, 35, distorts and tries to turn sinister Mr. Perry’s acts of platonic friendship and professional mentorship.”
Perry’s filing said, “Dixon invents alleged assaults and encounters that never happened. Mr. Perry never assaulted Dixon or committed any sexual battery. He did not offer Dixon pay raises and shoot Dixon’s television pilot script to threaten, coerce, or control Dixon.”
“Dixon earned through merit alone whatever professional opportunities he received from [Perry and his company],” his lawyer noted. “And it is notable that in his effort to exploit his friendship and professional relationship with Mr. Perry to obtain a $260 million payday, Dixon was forced to lie not only about Mr. Perry, but himself too.”
Perry’s team alleged that Dixon did not “file this lawsuit because of anything” Perry did, but “because of what” Perry did not do. Perry’s team believes Dixon decided to accuse him of sexual misconduct because Perry could not sell Dixon’s television pilot to Netflix.
Perry said this case, “as cliché as sounds, is about Dixon’s greed and avarice, not Mr. Perry’s alleged and nonexistent harassment or abuse. Mr. Perry looks forward to refuting each and every false accusation in court.”
The director also argued that Dixon filed the lawsuit in the wrong state. He said California is not the proper venue for the claims to be heard and said the case should have been filed in Georgia.
Perry’s team added, “By his actions and false accusations, it is clear that Dixon needs help. But he cannot find it in this Court.”
The filing also alleged, “Although Dixon alleges that he was the victim of escalating sexual misconduct, he had no problem taking a role on Season 2 of Mr. Perry’s television series The Oval.”
Perry’s team also noted that the claims are barred by the statute of limitations in Georgia.
Dixon’s lawyer, Jonathan Delshad, tells Us, “Our complaint, includes text messages where Mr. Perry made explicit sexual remarks to Mr. Dixon, questioned him about his sex life, and dangled professional opportunities based on those interactions. That is the definition of harassment and coercion, and it’s illegal. Notably missing from their filed papers is any refutation of the authenticity of these text messages, because Perry knows they are real.”
Delshad continued, “No employer has the right to manipulate or threaten an employee’s livelihood based on sexual expectations. That’s exactly why sexual harassment laws exist—to protect all of us from abuse of power in the workplace, especially when the person abusing such power is rich, has media influence, and is used to getting away with abusing his power.”
“Let us be clear, we are certain that we will be able to prove to a jury that sexual harassment, assault, and battery absolutely happened, and we look forward to showing all the evidence we have to a jury,” Dixon’s lawyer added.
As Us previously reported, back in June, Dixon sued Perry and his production company over alleged sexual assault on the set of The Oval.
In his lawsuit, Dixon claimed he met Perry at an event in 2019. He claimed the director asked for his phone number which led to him getting a small role in another Perry show called Ruthless.
Dixon said Perry invited him to his Atlanta home in 2020. He said he went to talk about his acting career. The suit alleged that Dixon drank too much and spent the night. In the suit, Dixon accused Perry of coming into the bed and touching his thighs. Dixon said he turned down Perry’s advances but claimed Perry continued to come on to him over time.
Dixon said he eventually landed a role in Perry’s show The Oval. He said things took a turn when Perry allegedly started texting him inappropriate, sexually suggestive things and even asked him about his sexual preferences.
Dixon claimed he told Perry he wasn’t a “sexual type” in hopes that would stop the behavior. The actor claimed he feared he would lose work if he continued to reject Perry. He said during another visit to Perry’s home in 2020, the tone changed. He claimed Perry asked him if he “likes it rough in bed.” The suit claimed the director also grabbed Dixon by his throat while telling him, “look how excited you just got.” Dixon submitted several alleged text messages from Perry as part of his lawsuit.
Dixon claimed he visited Perry’s home in June 2021, where another alleged inappropriate incident occurred. He said that while he was wearing his underwear, Perry came over to hug him. He said Perry pulled down his underwear and groped his butt. “Relax and just let it happen,” Dixon claimed Perry told him before he was able to change the conversation to another topic. Dixon’s lawyer said the actor filed an official complaint and quit The Oval in 2024 due to the alleged sexual harassment. Dion demanded $260 million in damages.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
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