Chatter within LA Direct today indicated that Derek Hay, the former principal of LA Direct Models, is facing a lawsuit from a former employee. The suit reportedly seeks hundreds of thousands of dollars and involves labor issues.

Legal Developments for Derek Hay

Derek Hay, formerly of LA Direct Models, pleaded guilty on May 29, 2024, in Los Angeles to one charge of conspiracy to commit pandering and a charge of perjury. This plea was part of an agreement with the California attorney general in a criminal case. Hay was indicted by a grand jury in September 2022 alongside two co-defendants and was arraigned in March 2023.

Richard Freeman, Hay’s attorney, stated that the case was resolved after the judge became more involved in seeking a resolution during the jury selection process. Guilty pleas have been entered by all defendants, and sentencing is scheduled for July 17. During a hearing, the judge indicated that Hay could receive up to 270 days in county jail. Hay is currently released on probation.

The charges against Hay and his co-defendants included conspiracy to commit pandering by procuring, a felony, and conspiracy to commit pimping. Hay also faced a perjury charge related to his testimony under oath. These charges originated from accusations made during a "Jane Does" labor case in March 2020. This case involved five models, who were former clients, and who petitioned against Hay and his agency before the California Labor Commission. The 2020 felony charges and the September 2022 grand jury indictment are connected to the original civil filing from 2018.

Separate Legal Action Against Tyler Perry

In unrelated legal news, actor Derek Dixon has filed a lawsuit against entertainment mogul Tyler Perry, alleging sexual harassment, assault, and retaliation. Dixon, who appeared in Perry’s shows “The Oval” and “Ruthless,” is seeking $260 million. The lawsuit was filed in June 2025 in the Los Angeles Superior Court and has been assigned case number 25STCV17235 to Judge Theresa M. Traber in Department 47.

Dixon’s complaint alleges that Perry engaged in a "sustained pattern of workplace sexual harassment, assault and retaliation" from January 2020 to June 2024. Dixon briefly appeared in BET’s “Ruthless” before securing a role in Perry’s “The Oval,” where he appeared in 85 episodes from 2021 to 2025. Dixon claims Perry used his influence and control over employment and creative opportunities to create a "coercive, sexually exploitative dynamic."

According to court documents, Dixon alleged that Perry made numerous sexual comments and remarks about wanting a sexual relationship, and made several advances that Dixon rejected. The lawsuit states that Perry allegedly told Dixon that if he ignored Perry or failed to engage with sexual innuendos, Dixon’s character would "die" in the next season. Dixon also claims Perry promised to produce his TV pilot, "Losing It," as part of a coercive exchange, but never intended to air it, with the offer allegedly made to maintain Dixon’s silence.

Specific allegations detailed in the complaint include Perry allegedly telling Dixon, “Whoever ends up with me is gonna be a happy motherfucker,” and asking in another message, “What’s it going to take for you to have guiltless sex? Have y’all found that yet in therapy?” The complaint also describes an incident where Perry allegedly pulled off Dixon’s underwear and groped him, telling him to “relax” and that “[he] wasn’t going to hurt [Dixon].” When Dixon resisted, Perry reportedly responded, “You are the rose. But you are so blocked that you refuse to be smelt [sic] or opened.”

In his first interview since filing the lawsuit, Dixon told The Hollywood Reporter on July 11, 2025, “I couldn’t just let [Perry] get away with this.” He added, “Everyone deserves to go to work and do their job without their boss trying to have sex with them. My goal is to help ensure that the next generation of actors and creatives don’t have to choose between their dreams and their dignity.”

An attorney for Tyler Perry, Matthew Boyd, has denied Dixon’s allegations, calling them "fabricated claims" and a "scam" to make money. Boyd stated, "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."

Key Facts

  • Derek Hay, former LA Direct Models principal, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit pandering and perjury on May 29, 2024.
  • Hay's sentencing is set for July 17, with a potential sentence of up to 270 days in county jail.
  • The charges against Hay stemmed from a 2018 civil filing by five "Jane Does" models.
  • Actor Derek Dixon filed a $260 million lawsuit against Tyler Perry in June 2025, alleging sexual harassment, assault, and retaliation.
  • Dixon’s lawsuit claims Perry created a "coercive, sexually exploitative dynamic" during Dixon's employment on "The Oval" and "Ruthless."
  • Tyler Perry’s attorney has dismissed Dixon’s allegations as "fabricated claims" and a "scam."