Amazon Studios chief resigns after harassment reports

(Reuters) - Amazon Studios <AMZN.O> chief Roy Price has resigned, a company spokeswoman said on Tuesday, following reports that he harassed a producer and ignored an actress's allegation of sexual assault by producer Harvey Weinstein.

Price took a leave of absence last week and Albert Cheng, the studio's chief operating officer, remains interim head of the division, the spokeswoman said.

Price did not immediately return a request for comment.

Price's move came after many women have shared their experiences of mistreatment on social media using the hashtag #MeToo, in the wake of allegations of harassment against movie producer Harvey Weinstein in reports this month by the New York Times and the New Yorker.

Weinstein has denied having non-consensual sex with anyone.

The Hollywood Reporter last week reported an allegation by Isa Hackett, a producer on one of Amazon.com Inc’s shows, that Price had lewdly propositioned her in 2015. Reuters could not independently confirm the allegation.

The accusations against Price represented a rare scandal for the online retailer.

"This is a necessary move because of the sexual harassment allegation, but I think it’s a convenient excuse to replace him," said Michael Pachter, an analyst at Wedbush Securities.

Amazon fared poorly for its original TV shows at last month's Primetime Emmy Awards. Pachter said the company has appealed to elite, liberal tastes with its original TV lineup but has lacked "content that has mass appeal."

Amazon did not immediately reply to requests for comment.

Amazon is investing some $4.5 billion this year on video content. The company has said it hopes original shows will encourage people to sign up for its streaming and shopping club Prime.

(Reporting by Jeffrey Dastin in San Francisco; Editing by Sandra Maler and Clive McKeef)