In light of the controversy surrounding Harvey Weinstein, Amazon Studios head Roy Price has been placed on a leave of absence hours after the Hollywood Reporter published a story about an alleged 2015 incident involving Price and The Man in the High Castle producer Isa Hackett. Hackett, daughter of legendary science fiction author Philip K. Dick, first met Price on July 10, 2015 when they attended a dinner with the cast and Amazon staff after a whole day promoting The Man in the High Castle.
Price invited Hackett to attend an Amazon staff party later that night. The two would eventually share a taxi with Michael Paull, a former top executive for the company. While in the cab, Price "repeatedly and insistently propositioned" Hackett with disgusting remarks. "You will love my dick," he reportedly told her. Isa turned his advances down, telling him that she's a lesbian with a wife and children. However, that didn't stop Price.
When they arrived at the event, Price allegedly crept up to Hackett and loudly said in her ear, "Anal sex!" Hackett says she reported the incident to Amazon executives who contacted an outside investigator, Christine Farrell of Public Interest Investigations, Inc. Isa never heard anything in regards to the investigation, but she didn't see Price at any further events centered around her shows.
"We take seriously any questions about the conduct of our employees," an Amazon spokesperson told THR in response to the piece. "We expect people to set high standards for themselves; we encourage people to raise any concerns and we make it a priority to investigate and address them. Accordingly, we looked closely at this specific concern and addressed it directly with those involved."
Hours after the article went live, Amazon announced Price was "on leave of absence effective immediately."
