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INSIDE THE FALLOUT

• A shocking civil lawsuit filed June 13, 2025, in Los Angeles County Superior Court accuses billionaire media mogul Tyler Perry of sexual assault, harassment, and coercion.
• Actor and screenwriter Derek Dixon details years of alleged quid pro quo abuse, including groping, retaliation, and threats tied to employment and creative promises.
• The lawsuit outlines violations of California's Ralph Act, FEHA, and other claims, with Dixon seeking damages under sexual assault and harassment laws.

By Samuel Lopez — USA Herald

LOS ANGELES — Tyler Perry, one of Hollywood's most recognizable and powerful figures, is facing a wide-ranging civil lawsuit that alleges he used his wealth and influence to sexually exploit actor and screenwriter Derek Dixon over a span of years. The 46-page complaint, filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court on June 13, 2025, outlines a harrowing pattern of alleged sexual harassment, coercive manipulation, and retaliation that began in 2019 and continued into 2023.

According to the complaint, Dixon, a rising actor who worked on Perry's productions including the BET series "The Oval," claims Perry subjected him to repeated unwanted sexual advances, groping, and psychological manipulation while dangling lucrative acting and creative opportunities to silence him.

"This case arises from a sustained pattern of workplace sexual harassment, assault, and retaliation perpetrated by Tyler Perry... against Plaintiff Derek Dixon," the complaint opens (p.2, ¶3).

Dixon alleges that Perry first took interest in him while he was working an event in 2019. Perry allegedly pursued Dixon by offering acting roles and creative collaboration. In one text, Perry wrote, "Be careful hanging around me!! I cause dreamers to dream bigger!!" (p.11, ¶56).

What followed, according to Dixon, was a toxic pattern in which Perry would use his authority over casting and compensation to pressure Dixon into unwanted physical encounters. At one point, Perry allegedly told Dixon that if he didn’t keep him "happy," his character could be written off the show. Dixon's character was eventually shot four times on "The Oval," a moment the complaint alleges was used as leverage (p.6, ¶18).

The complaint includes several disturbing claims of sexual battery and assault. In one instance, Perry allegedly groped Dixon without consent. In another, he allegedly pinned Dixon against a wall and aggressively groped his buttocks after filming (p.21, ¶119). A third incident, detailed in Paragraphs 138-140 (pp.26-27), describes Perry allegedly pulling down Dixon’s underwear and groping him while ignoring Dixon’s verbal refusals.

The lawsuit claims Perry responded to Dixon’s rejection with statements like, "Relax... I’m not going to hurt you,"(p.27, ¶140) and afterward blamed testosterone supplements for his behavior (p.28, ¶145).

Dixon asserts that after each assault, Perry would apologize and promise increased compensation or offer to produce Dixon’s pilot show, "Losing It." According to the complaint, these promises were ultimately hollow and served to prolong Dixon’s silence while Perry maintained control (pp.28-30, ¶¶146-165).

Even after Dixon moved to California, the complaint alleges Perry continued calling, texting, and attempting to normalize or excuse the assaults. Dixon says he experienced physical symptoms of trauma and was diagnosed with PTSD by a physician (p.25, ¶132).

The lawsuit levels ten causes of action, including:

• Quid Pro Quo Sexual Harassment (Gov. Code §12940(j))
• Workplace Harassment and Gender Violence (CC §52.4)
• Violation of California's Ralph Act
• Sexual Assault and Battery (CC §340.16, CC §1708.5)
• Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress and Retaliation

Notably, the plaintiff argues the case qualifies under California's Sexual Abuse and Cover Up Accountability Act (AB 2777), reviving otherwise time-barred claims (p.10, ¶42).

Dixon is seeking compensatory and punitive damages and a jury trial.

As of press time, Perry has not filed a public response to the allegations. No criminal charges have been announced. Perry, known for his philanthropic work and ownership of the largest Black-owned studio in the U.S., has cultivated a reputation of empowerment — a narrative now facing serious legal and reputational scrutiny.

Dixon v. Perry et al., Los Angeles County Superior Court, Case No. 25STCV17235 (filed June 13, 2025).

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