Celebrity chef Mario Batali acquitted of sexually assaulting woman in Boston
BOSTON, May 10 (Reuters) - Chef Mario Batali was acquitted on Tuesday of sexually assaulting a woman at a Boston bar in 2017 while posing with her for fan "selfie" photos, with the judge doubting the credibility of the accuser in the latest #MeToo era trial involving a U.S. celebrity accused of misconduct toward women.
In the non-jury trial, Judge James Stanton of Boston Municipal Court found Batali, 61, not guilty of a charge of indecent assault and battery brought in 2019.
Natali Tene, 32, had testified that Batali groped her breasts, buttocks and crotch area and forcibly kissed her while drunkenly posing for selfies with her at a bar near Boston's Eataly, the Italian market and restaurant he at the time part owned.
In announcing his verdict, the judge said he concluded that Tene had "significant credibility issues."
Read more: https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/chef-mario-batalis-lawyer-tells-boston-judge-sexual-assault-accuser-is-lying-2022-05-10/