Tyler Perry is responding to sexual assault allegations made against him by actor Derek Dixon.
The 56-year-old filmmaker is asserting that his accuser “falsified the sexual assault claims” in new court documents obtained by People.
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Derek made his accusations via lawsuit in June, alleging sexual harassment, sexual assault, retaliation, and more.
Tyler‘s legal team filed new documents with the United States District Court’s Central Division of California at the start of October, slamming the lawsuit as “profoundly disappointing, cynical, and—most of all—false.”
Additionally, the documents state that Derek‘s accusations use “Hollywood stereotypes” and distort the relationship between him and Tyler.
“Dixon distorts and tries to turn sinister Mr. Perry’s acts of platonic friendship and professional mentorship.”
The filing also says: “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.”
“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,” it reads.
The 37-year-old actor from The Oval and Ruthless is seeking $260 million in damages. He accused the producer of creating a “coercive, sexually exploitative dynamic” between them when Derek was acting on his shows.
The documents say that the Straw director is looking “forward to refuting each and every false accusation in court.”
In response to Tyler‘s latest motion, Derek‘s attorney, Jonathan J. Delshad, shared a statement with People in response.
“Perry’s filing provides no evidence to corroborate that the text messages in our complaint are fabricated. 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,” the lawyer said.
“No employer has the right to manipulate or threaten an employee’s livelihood based on sexual expectations. We are certain that we will be able to prove to a jury that sexual harassment, assault, and battery absolutely happened.”
He continued, “I am convinced that Mr. Dixon is not the only one and that soon others will be sharing stories about Mr. Perry. My client is not intimidated by wealth, influence or the celebrity status of Mr. Perry. Nobody is above the law. We are committed to holding Mr. Perry accountable to the full extent of the law.”
In September, Derek visited ABC News Live PRIME to further discuss the allegations on air.