Boston (AP) – Famous chef Mario Batali has been fired for sexual abuse after a criminal trial in Boston.
The woman accused Batali of forcibly kissing her and groping her while taking a selfie at a restaurant in 2017. Batali’s lawyer claimed there had never been an attack in Boston, and said the prosecutor had a financial incentive to lie. On Tuesday, a judge found him not guilty. The chef waived his right to a jury trial.
Batali faced obscene assault and charges of battery life, which involved up to 2 1/2 years in prison. Prosecutor Batali has filed a lawsuit that is pending. In 2017, the career of the 61-year-old former Food Network club collapsed amid allegations of sexual abuse by four women.
THIS IS AN UPDATE OF NEWS. The previous history of the AP is given below.
BOSTAN (AP) – The fate of the famous chef Mario Batali in his trial for sexual behavior in Boston is now in the hands of a judge.
Defense and prosecution lawyers stopped their cases on Tuesday, the second day of a speedy trial in which the former Food Network star waived his right to decide by jury sentence.
The case, which is being heard in Boston Municipal Court, focuses on a woman who says Batali kissed and touched her when she tried to take a selfie at a Boston bar in 2017.
In closing, Batali’s lawyer, Anthony Fuller, described the victim as a “recognized liar” who has financial motives, as she is demanding more than $ 50,000 in compensation from Batali. a separate lawsuit.
“In her world, truth is a flexible concept,” he said, referring to the woman’s recent confession in an attempt to avoid jury service, saying she was insightful, which was the focus of Monday’s hearing.
Fuller also said that numerous photos taken by the woman of Batali testify to a “completely collision by arrangement” in which she does not seem to show any anxiety.
“Photos and videos do not lie. They have no financial motivation, ”he said. “But she does. ”
In her closing remarks, prosecutor Nina Banelli denied that Batali’s lawyers had tried to “demonize” the woman, when in fact it was their client who was being tried for his behavior.
She claimed from the photos “absolutely indisputable” that Batali was drunk and aggressively kissing the woman’s face. She said she did not show what was happening outside the camera when he also seized her private seats.
Banelli said the woman tried to “de-escalate” unwanted touches from a powerful celebrity by simply “smiling”.
“Kisses, touch. She never asked for it. She never agreed to it, ”she said. “She just wanted to take a selfie.”
The trial is expected to resume in the afternoon, when Judge James Stanton could potentially pass sentence.
The prosecutor, a 32-year-old employee of the software company, testified Monday that she felt confused, powerless and embarrassed to share her story until other women stepped forward to share similar meetings with Batali.
Battles that did not plead guilty to indecent assault and beatings, could face up to 2 1/2 years in prison and be required to register as a sex offender if convicted.
The 61-year-old, who once starred in shows such as “Molto Mario” and “Iron Chef America”, is one of a number of high-ranking men who faced public violence during the public movement #MeToo against sexual violence. and harassment in recent years.
https://wgntv.com/news/celebrity-chef-mario-batali-acquitted-of-sexual-misconduct/
