Billionaire filmmaker Tyler Perry has finally hit back at the explosive $260m sexual assault lawsuit filed against him by actor Derek Dixon.
In a statement, Perry’s lawyer, Matthew Boyd, dismissed the allegations as a desperate ploy.
“This is an individual who got close to Tyler Perry for what now appears to be nothing more than setting up a scam,” Boyd said.
He added, “Tyler will not be shaken down and we are confident these fabricated claims of harassment will fail.”
Dixon, who once starred in Perry’s shows The Oval and Ruthless, accused the filmmaker of sexual harassment, assault, and retaliation. He claimed Perry lured him with promises of career growth and then allegedly turned predatory when he refused advances. Dixon is demanding $260m in damages, saying the figure represents both his losses and a deterrent against Perry.
But Perry’s camp has come out swinging, rejecting the accusations and signaling readiness for a legal showdown.
