Celebrity chef Mario Batali found not guilty of indecent assault, battery
ABC News
Celebrity chef Mario Batali was being tried for a 2017 incident in Boston.
Celebrity chef Mario Batali has been found not guilty of indecent assault and battery for a 2017 incident in Boston.
Natalie Tene, 32, said Batali forcibly kissed her and grabbed her breasts, buttocks and groin after meeting him in a Boston bar while having a drink with a friend in March 2017.
Judge James Stanton ultimately decided that the defendant had a financial motive for making the accusations. Stanton rendered the verdict directly since Batali waived his right to a jury trial.
On Monday, at the start of the trial, Tene said she was speaking out "to be able to take control of what happened," while a defense attorney for Batali called her a liar who is twisting the truth "for money and for fun."