CELEB CHEF
CULINARY superstar Mario Batali is recognized by the public for his career as a television restaurateur.
In addition to his TV gigs and cooking shows, Mario also earned media headlines for claims of sexual misconduct made against him.
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Who is Mario Batali?
Born on September 19, 1960, Mario Batali's early life was centered in Seattle, Washington.
Mario's culinary aspirations kept him between New Jersey and San Fransisco, California.
While working with fellow star chef Jeremiah Towers at his San Francisco restaurant, Stars, Mario landed his first spot on TV.
From 1996 to 2004, he hosted his cooking program Malto Mario on the Food Network.
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He then went on to co-host ABC's The Chew alongside Daphne Oz, Carla Hall, and Michael Symon.
For their time on The Chew, Mario and his co-hosts won a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Informative Talk Show Host at the 2015 ceremony.
In 1998, the Iron Chef host formed Batali & Bastianich Hospitality Group with his business partners and fellow celebrity chefs - Lidia Bastianich and her son, Joe Bastianich.
B&B Hospitality Group owned the New York City restaurants Babbo Ristorante e Enoteca, Lupa Osteria Romana, and Otto Enoteca Pizzeria.
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However, in March 2019, Mario gave up ownership of all of the aforementioned restaurants and business ventures after several claims of sexual misconduct named him as the perpetrator.
Why was Mario on trial and what was the verdict?
In August 2018, Natali Tene filed a lawsuit against Mario Batali for an incident that allegedly took place at a Boston restaurant in March 2017.
Mario denied the claims of sexual misconduct that Natali filed against him.
In a statement to The New York Times, his lawyer Anthony E Fuller said: "The charges, brought by the same individual without any new basis, are without merit."
"He intends to fight the allegations vigorously and we expect the outcome to fully vindicate Mr. Batali."
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In May 2019, the chef was charged with indecent assault and battery and was arraigned on Friday, the 24 of that month - he entered a plea of not guilty.
Natali's lawyer, Eric Baum, said in a public statement: "The criminal charges brought against him are independent of the ongoing civil lawsuit."
"Mr. Batali must be held accountable criminally and civilly for his despicable acts."
The plaintiff also told Eater NY: "...I thought maybe I was alone, maybe it was an isolated incident.
"When I saw the news, I had this feeling like, ‘Yes, he’s being exposed as a creep.'
"But also sadness and lots of anger that he got away with this behavior for so long.”
On May 9, 2022, jury selection for Mario's trial commenced in Boston.
It was revealed by the Boston Globe that the famed culinary expert opted for a non-jury trial and testimony went underway on the same day.
He pleaded not guilty. If convicted, the former Iron Chef star could face two and a half years in prison and will have to register as a sex offender.
On Tuesday, May 10, Mario was found not guilty of indecent assault and battery.
Boston Municipal Court Judge James Stanton delivered the verdict.
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The judge said the "complaining witness has significant credibility issues," the Boston Globe reported.
The celebrity chef did not take the stand during the trial.
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