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Tyler Perry might have some serious legal trouble brewing to close out the year. The iconic filmmaker ran into trouble earlier this year when a sexual assault lawsuit was filed against him. Now, a second accuser has stepped forward, alleging that the entertainment icon assaulted him over a period of years. Let’s take a look at the accusations and who exactly levied them against Tyler Perry. While lawsuits have been filed, no criminal charges have been brought in connection with the allegations.

Tyler Perry was accused of sexual assault in June

In June, a sexual harassment lawsuit was filed against Tyler Perry. In the filing, Derek Dixon claims Tyler Perry used his position of power to sexually harass and assault him. Dixon, an actor who appeared on The Oval, claims that Perry initially appeared to be taking him under his wing, but things turned coercive. Dixon claims that he was later subjected to professional retaliation when he turned down Perry’s sexual advances.

In a September 2025 appearance on ABC News, Dixon claims that Perry gifted him a new vehicle before he began texting him suggestively, while also dangling career advancement in front of him. Perry’s lawyer claims the allegations are fabricated.

Dixon is an actor who appeared in several small roles before being cast in The Oval. He has not appeared in any additional roles since.

A new accuser has come forward

While the initial allegations of sexual misconduct were made public in June 2025, a second accuser has stepped forward to allege that Tyler Perry acted inappropriately while in a position of power. On December 26, actor Mario Rodriguez filed a lawsuit seeking $77 million in damages. In the filing, Rodriguez claims Tyler Perry sexually assaulted him multiple times between 2014 and 2019. Rodriguez, who appeared in Boo! A Madea Halloween and The Family Business included Lionsgate as a defendant. He claims that the studio failed to act on Perry’s misconduct.

According to AP News, Perry’s lawyer has responded to the most recent allegations, calling them “meritless.” As the lawsuit was just filed, there are no additional updates. Lionsgate, which was also named in the suit, has not issued a statement. Rodriguez has appeared in only a handful of acting roles, his last in 2019.

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