Tyler Perry has been accused in a civil lawsuit of repeatedly sexually assaulting and harassing an actor on "The Oval," a TV drama that Perry created, according to a new lawsuit.The suit, filed Friday in Los Angeles Superior Court by the actor Derek Dixon, alleges Perry used his influence in the entertainment industry to prevent Dixon from speaking out until now. Matthew Boyd, an attorney representing Perry, denied the allegations in a statement obtained by CBS News on Tuesday."This is an individual who got close to Tyler Perry for what now appears to be nothing more than setting up a scam," the statement said.
"But Tyler will not be shaken down and we are confident these fabricated claims of harassment will fail."Dixon appeared on 85 episodes of "The Oval," which has had a six-season run on the network BET.The actor's most recent appearances came during the latest season of the series earlier this year, according to IMDB.
His lawsuit seeks at least $260 million in damages."Mr.Perry took his success and power and used his considerable influence in the entertainment industry to create a coercive, sexually exploitative dynamic with Mr.
Dixon—initially promising him 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," the lawsuit alleges. It alleges the behavior happened during Dixon's time as a series regular on "The Oval," when Perry "held direct control over his employment, compensation, and creative opportunities."The lawsuit, first reported Tuesday by TMZ, says that Perry first noticed Dixon in 2019 when Dixon was part of the event staff at a Perry party, and later offered an audition.Dixon would first appear in a small role on the Perry series "Ruthless" before getting the bigger role on the political drama "The Oval." Perry s...