Tyler Perry Fights Back — Files Motion To Dismiss $260M Harassment Lawsuit, Says Case Belongs In Georgia, Not California!
Two months after being served with a $260 million civil lawsuit from former The Oval actor Derrick Dixon, media mogul Tyler Perry is firing back — hard.
Media Take Out has confirmed that Perry’s legal team officially filed a motion to dismiss the case, arguing that California is the wrong jurisdiction for the lawsuit. According to the filing, all of Perry’s business dealings with Dixon took place in Georgia, where The Oval is filmed and produced at Perry’s Atlanta-based studio.
Tyler Perry’s Legal Team Accuses Dixon of “Forum Shopping”
In the documents obtained by Media Take Out, Perry’s attorneys accuse Dixon of “forum shopping” — a legal term meaning the plaintiff deliberately filed the lawsuit in a state with laws more favorable to their case.
And in this instance, the difference is huge.
California has some of the strictest workplace harassment laws in the nation, making it much easier for plaintiffs to bring forward cases of alleged misconduct. Georgia, however, is known for being far less stringent when it comes to civil harassment claims.
Legal experts say if the case gets transferred to Georgia, Perry’s team will have a far stronger chance of getting it thrown out entirely.
Perry Denies All Allegations
Tyler Perry isn’t just challenging where the case is filed — he’s denying every single allegation made by Derrick Dixon.
Dixon, who appeared on Perry’s hit BET series The Oval, accused the billionaire filmmaker of making unwanted advances and creating an uncomfortable work environment. In his $260 million suit, Dixon claimed the alleged harassment led to emotional distress and professional harm.
But Perry’s camp is pushing back hard. In his official response, Perry’s legal team described Dixon’s claims as “fabricated” and said the former actor “cultivated a personal relationship” with Perry for financial gain and professional opportunity — not out of genuine friendship.
According to insiders who spoke to Media Take Out, Perry believes this lawsuit is a money grab and “a desperate attempt by a disgruntled former employee to cash in on his name.”
What Happens Next?
If the court sides with Perry and grants the motion to dismiss or to move the case to Georgia, the lawsuit could either be refiled in that state or dropped entirely.
But if the judge allows the case to stay in California, Perry may face a much tougher legal battle — one that could draw national headlines and potential fallout for his billion-dollar entertainment empire.
For now, Tyler Perry appears confident and unbothered, continuing to work on multiple TV and film projects out of his massive Atlanta studio.
But make no mistake — this legal showdown is far from over.
Stay tuned, because Media Take Out will continue bringing you exclusive updates as this $260 million Hollywood vs. Atlanta courtroom drama unfolds.