Accusations of sexual assault and abuse of power have surfaced against a high-level executive at Tyler Perry Studios, shaking the entertainment world and triggering new conversations about accountability inside one of Hollywood’s most recognizable brands.

According to The Christian Post, Actor and Army veteran Braxton Wells has accused the studio’s vice president, Mark E. Swinton, of assaulting him in 2022 after drugging him — part of a disturbing pattern that now includes a separate multimillion-dollar lawsuit targeting Tyler Perry himself.

Wells says the incident took place on the night of Jan. 5, 2022, after dinner and drinks with Swinton at a restaurant in Atlanta, Georgia. According to Wells, the two proceeded to Swinton’s residence following their evening out.

At home, Wells recalls feeling disoriented after consuming additional alcohol. He alleges he was rendered immobile and then sexually assaulted, describing symptoms of being physically paralyzed.

Wells said he lost consciousness during the alleged assault. The next morning, he claims to have awakened to physical evidence—blood and Vaseline—in the shower, confirming his fears of being attacked.

Veteran Claims Efforts Were Made to Silence Him

In the hours following the incident, Wells said he received $6,000 via Apple Pay from Swinton, which he interpreted as an effort to secure his silence. He did not sign any formal agreement but described this action as coercive.

Shaken, Wells left the residence and checked into a hotel in the Buckhead area of Atlanta. He cited a worsening of mental health struggles, including post-traumatic stress and thoughts of self-harm, stemming from the experience.

Wells, a U.S. Army veteran, says he initially feared telling his story would end his career in the entertainment industry. The fear of retaliation or professional consequences kept him from publicly speaking out for over two years.

Allegations Spread on Social Media and to Police

In 2024, Wells began sharing details of the alleged assault. He expanded on those claims most recently in an Instagram post published last Sunday, which included images of both Swinton and Tyler Perry together.

Through the post, Wells said he reported the incident to the Roswell Police Department in Georgia. He shared his belief that Swinton “groomed” him and called the alleged assault a betrayal of both trust and religious values Perry projects publicly.

The post also targeted Tyler Perry directly. Wells accused him of choosing silence and brand protection over confronting misconduct within his company, writing that Perry “retained a predator” while claiming to represent faith-based values.

Reaction to Allegations Highlights Industry Tension

Neither Tyler Perry Studios nor the detective mentioned in Wells’ post has made a public statement addressing the allegations. Representatives for the studio did not respond to immediate requests for comment on the matter.

Wells and actor Derek Dixon, who also leveled recent allegations against individuals connected to Perry’s studio, have both appeared in the BET series “The Oval.” Dixon filed a separate $260 million lawsuit against Perry, citing sexual harassment and other misconduct.

Dixon’s legal complaint names multiple parties, including TPS Production Services, LLC, and claims he was pressured into sexual situations using appeals to religious guilt. His suit includes 50 unnamed individuals and covers a broad range of alleged abuses.

Legal Denials and Public Support Continue to Collide

Perry’s legal team has denied Dixon’s claims, arguing that the accusations are fabricated and financially motivated. Attorney Matthew Boyd, speaking on Perry’s behalf, asserted that the lawsuit would not succeed and implied a monetary motive behind the complaint.

Dixon, meanwhile, stated that coming forward has resulted in a mix of threats and messages of encouragement. According to him, other individuals have also reached out with their own experiences and stories of abuse.

“This is why people, especially men, don’t come forward,” Dixon said, pointing to wider cultural issues that often silence male survivors in professional settings dominated by power imbalances.