The celebrity chef was found not guilty of indecent assault and battery over an incident in which he was accused of touching a woman.
The 58-year-old Mario Batali was charged with indecent assault and battery in Boston Municipal Court. He is accused of kissing a woman at a restaurant.
If he had been found guilty, he would have been sentenced to two and a half years in prison and required to register as a sex predator.
When the trial began on Monday, the former Mario star had pleaded not guilty to the charges and left the decision of his fate in the hands of the judge.
The complaining witness had significant credibility issues and was financially motivated in bringing these charges, according to the testimony before the verdict was announced.
The demeanor of Batali on the night in question was not fitting for someone of his stature and he had already paid a high cost.
The two-day trial did not have Batali testify.
A woman, Natali Tene, accused Batali of touching her. Tene testified that she took a photo of Batali without his permission and that he called her over. Tene said Batali touched her face, breasts and genitals when he asked them to take a selfies. The accuser said the chef touched her in a way that she had never experienced before. She said she was not smiling in the photos, but rather grimacing through an uncomfortable moment. According to the Boston Globe, a friend of Tene testified that she was told about the incident by Tene.
Several more women accused Batali of sexual harassment in the next year after he was first accused. The New York City Police Department said there was not enough evidence to make an arrest. He and others were required to pay a $600,000 settlement to settle harassment and discrimination claims at three of his New York City restaurations. After the claims against him came to light, the chef parted ways with his ABC talk show, The Chew, and sold off his restaurant empire, including Eataly.
Mario Batalli is facing sexual Misconduct charges.
The New York Times reported that Mario Batali was going on trial.
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