$600,000 resolves Batali case

NEW YORK — Celebrity chef Mario Batali, his business partner and their New York City restaurant company have agreed to pay $600,000 to resolve a fouryear investigation by the state attorney general’s office into allegations that Batali, restaurant managers and other workers sexually harassed employees.

The money will be split among at least 20 former employees of B&B Hospitality and their Manhattan restaurants Babbo, Lupa and the nowclosed Del Posto, all of which Batali coowned with Joseph Bastianich until March 2019, Attorney General Letitia James announced Friday.

The company must also revise employee training materials and submit reports to the attorney general’s office for the next three years documenting harassment and discrimination training and policies.

Batali, whose highflying career crumbled amid myriad sexual harassment and misconduct allegations, was accused in the New York investigation of pulling a waitress’ hand toward his crotch as she served him and showing a waiter an unwelcome pornographic video.

Chefs and managers at the Bataliowned restaurants were accused of degrading women with misogynistic comments and showing favoritism to male employees.

“Celebrity and fame does not absolve someone from following the law,” James said. “Sexual harassment is unacceptable for anyone, anywhere — no matter how powerful the perpetrator.”

Batali, known for his orange Crocs and ponytail, stepped down from daytoday operations at his restaurant empire and left the sincediscontinued ABC cooking show “The Chew” in 2017 after four women accused him of inappropriate touching.