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