In the suit, filed Friday in Los Angeles, United States, Dixon alleges that Perry "sexually assaulted him on multiple occasions and regularly sexually harassed him," both before and during their professional relationship.

Famed filmmaker and actor Tyler Perry is facing a $260 million lawsuit filed by fellow actor Derek Dixon, who has accused the media mogul of sexual assault and harassment during their time working together on BET’s political drama The Oval.

In the suit, filed Friday in Los Angeles, United States, Dixon alleges that Perry "sexually assaulted him on multiple occasions and regularly sexually harassed him," both before and during their professional relationship.

According to the alleged victim,  the behaviour of Perry is a part of a broader “pattern of misconduct."

He further went ahead to accuse him of leveraging his power in the industry to coerce aspiring actors into sexually exploitative situations.

Responding to the lawsuit, Perry’s attorney Matthew Boyd issued a firm denial, stating: “This is an individual who got close to Tyler Perry for what now appears to be nothing more than setting up a scam. But Tyler will not be shaken down and we are confident these fabricated claims of harassment will fail.”

The attorney's argument has been further contested as Dixon made more claims.

“Mr. Perry sought the one thing his wealth and influence could not purchase — a sexual relationship with a man who would remain silent," the complaint states. It adds that Perry “took his success and power and used his considerable influence in the entertainment industry to create a coercive, sexually exploitative dynamic”.

The lawsuit outlines a series of disturbing incidents, including an alleged groping in Perry’s trailer in 2020 and an encounter at Perry’s home in which the actor claims the filmmaker “yanked Dixon’s underwear down from behind” and told him to “just let it happen.” Dixon says he was able to defuse the situation before it escalated further. He also alleges he was choked by Perry in March 2020.

In addition to Perry, Dixon has named TPS Production Services as a co-defendant on all counts except sexual battery and sexual assault. The company is accused of negligent hiring, supervision, or retention of an employee.

The claims against Perry include quid pro quo sexual harassment, work environment harassment, workplace gender violence, violation of the Bane Act, sexual battery, sexual assault, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

Dixon alleges the trauma from these experiences led to a diagnosis of PTSD and his eventual departure from The Oval, following a report to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.