Mario Batali Acquitted in Boston Sexual Assault Case
Mario Batali Acquitted in Boston Sexual Assault Case
Mario Batali Acquitted , in Boston Sexual Assault Case.
On May 10, celebrity chef Mario Batali was acquitted of sexually assaulting a woman at a Boston bar in 2017.
On May 10, celebrity chef Mario Batali was acquitted of sexually assaulting a woman at a Boston bar in 2017.
Reuters reports that Judge James Stanton of Boston Municipal Court found Batali not guilty of indecent assault and battery.
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Reuters reports that Judge James Stanton of Boston Municipal Court found Batali not guilty of indecent assault and battery.
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His accuser, Natali Tene, testified that Batali groped her and forcibly kissed her while drunkenly posing for selfies with her at a bar.
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His accuser, Natali Tene, testified that Batali groped her and forcibly kissed her while drunkenly posing for selfies with her at a bar.
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According to the judge, Tene was found to have "significant credibility issues," which determined his verdict.
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The judge ruled that photos from the incident created reasonable doubt that an assault had occurred.
Reuters reports that Batali left the courtroom surrounded by reporters following the judge's ruling and declined to comment on the decision.
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Reuters reports that Batali left the courtroom surrounded by reporters following the judge's ruling and declined to comment on the decision.
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In December 2017, the website Eater.com detailed four other women's allegations that Batali inappropriately touched them over at least two decades.
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In December 2017, the website Eater.com detailed four other women's allegations that Batali inappropriately touched them over at least two decades.
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In July 2021, Batali and his business partner agreed to pay $600,000 to at least 20 former employees of their Manhattan restaurants to resolve sexual harassment claims. .
In July 2021, Batali and his business partner agreed to pay $600,000 to at least 20 former employees of their Manhattan restaurants to resolve sexual harassment claims. .
Following the Eater.com report, Batali was fired from ABC's 'The Chew' and eventually cut ties with a number of restaurants that he partly owned.
Following the Eater.com report, Batali was fired from ABC's 'The Chew' and eventually cut ties with a number of restaurants that he partly owned.
At the time, Batali apologized for his "deeply inappropriate" behavior but denied allegations of sexual assault.
At the time, Batali apologized for his "deeply inappropriate" behavior but denied allegations of sexual assault