Woman testifies in Batali assault case

A Massachusetts woman who accused Mario Batali of kissing and groping her while attempting to take a selfie at a Boston restaurant testified Monday that she felt confused and powerless to do anything to stop the celebrity chef.

The 32-year-old said she also felt embarrassed by the 2017 incident — until she saw other women step forward to share similar encounters with Batali.

“This happened to me and this is my life,” said the woman while being questioned by prosecutors. “I want to be able to take control of what happened, come forward, say my piece and have everyone

be accountable for their actions.”

But Batali’s lawyer, Anthony Fuller, argued the assault never happened and that the accuser has a financial incentive to lie. He said she’s seeking more than $50,000 in damages from Batali in a separate civil lawsuit pending in Suffolk County Superior Court in Boston.

Batali, who pleaded not guilty to indecent assault and battery in 2019, could face up to 21/2 years in jail and be required to register as a sex offender if convicted.