The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Batali found not guilty of sexual misconduct
Batali’s attorney denied the assault occurred and argued the accuser wasn’t a credible witness. Boston Municipal Court Judge James Stanton agreed the accuser had credibility issues, the Associated Press stated.
Celebrity chef Mario Batali, who opened several restaurants in Connecticut, on Tuesday was found not guilty of indecent assault and battery, according to the Associated Press.
Batali's trial started Monday and came to a quick halt the following day. Batali, 61, was accused of aggressively kissing and groping a woman when she took a selfie with him at Boston restaurant in 2017. He pleaded not guilty to the charges in 2019, the AP reported.
Batali waived his right to a jury trial Monday and had the judge decide his fate, according to the AP.
Batali's attorney denied the assault occurred and argued the accuser wasn't a credible witness. Boston Municipal Court Judge James Stanton agreed the accuser had credibility issues, the Associated Press stated.
Batali opened Tarry Lodge, a pizza and Italian eatery in Westport with former locations in New Haven and Port Chester, N.Y. He also owned Eataly in New York City.
In 2017, Batali announced he was stepping away from his restaurant empire after four women accused him of inappropriately touching them, Vanity Fair reported.
If he was found guilty of the charges, Batali would have faced up to 21⁄2 years in jail. He also would've been required to register as a sex offender, the AP reported.
Despite being acquitted of the charges, Batali has apologized and said the allegations “match up” with ways he has acted in the past, according to the AP.