Verdict: Celebrity chef Mario Batali not guilty in indecent assault trial

BOSTON — Mario Batali was cleared of the criminal charge against him Tuesday afternoon. The celebrity chef and former partner of Prudential Center’s Eataly restaurant and market was found not guilty of indecent assault and battery.

The judge said the Commonwealth did not meet its burden of proof.

The judge also said Batali “did not cover himself in glory” in this case.

“He has paid a high cost in terms of diminished reputation,” said Judge James Stanton. “His conduct and his appearance, demeanor were not fitting of a public person of his stature at that time.”

Stanton highlighted testimony that raises questions about the complaining witnesses credibility including lying to get out of jury duty and another incident defense raised. “Testimony about her scheme to evade a 200 dollar gym membership by creating fictitious legal document,” said Stanton.

Judge found credibility issues with the complaining victim. Judge also made it clear Batali did not act appropriately the night of alleged incident but Commonwealth did not meet the burden of the criminal charge.
— Robert Goulston (@rgoulston) May 10, 2022

Closing arguments happened Tuesday morning in the bench trial of Batali, related to a 2017 indecent assault and battery charge. Batali waived his right to a jury trial on Monday.

The defense rested its case without calling any witnesses, or Batali to the stand.

Natali Tene had said Batali groped and assaulted her after he told her they could take a selfie at a Back Bay restaurant in April of 2017. The woman, now in her early 30s, did not appear on camera in court in Monday.

Indecent assault trial of chef Mario Batali begins in Boston with testimony from the alleged victim

“It all happened so fast, and it was happening essentially the whole time, in different parts,” said Tene on Monday. “There was touching of my breast, touching of my rear end, touching of my sensitive feminine areas. In between my legs. Touching all over my face. His lips on the side of my face. His tongue in my ear. It was just a lot happening.” The alleged victim gave permission to use her name and audio of her testimony.

Batali’s attorney, Anthony Fuller, has argued it did not happen the way his accuser says it did and claims she is out for money.

“She is an admitted liar. Her testimony can’t be relied on,” said Fuller in his closing argument on Tuesday. “She mislead the Boston Police Department and that is why we are here. She lies for fun, she lies for money.”

“This wasn’t about money, this was about a sexual assault,” said prosecutor Nina Bonelli. “Evidence demands that you find her guilty.”

Batali faced a maximum sentence of 2.5 years in the House of Correction if found guilty.

Batali would not comment when he left the courthouse. Prosecutors say they accept the judge’s decision. “It’s important for us here in Suffolk County to give our victims voices and let stories be heard when we find them credible,” said Bonelli

The complaining witness also has a civil lawsuit filed against Batali seeking 50-thousand dollars. That case is still pending.