A celebrity chef who has been a television fixture with his food shows is accused of groping and forcibly kissing a woman in 2017 in a lawsuit filed this week.
The AP reports that the suit was filed Wednesday against Mario Batali in Superior Court in Boston over an incident that allegedly took place in a Boston restaurant.
The suit reportedly seeks unspecified damages for “severe emotional distress” including anxiety and self-doubt.
“The suit alleges that the 28-year-old woman spotted Batali in the restaurant in April 2017 and tried to take a photo,” the AP reports. “The suit says Batali invited her to take a selfie with him then, without asking for permission, repeatedly kissed her face, rubbed her breasts, grabbed her buttocks and put his hands between her legs.”
Batali, who is a familiar face on television through his appearances on Food Network and shows such as “Molto Mario” and “Iron Chef America,” has previously been accused of sexual misconduct by a number of other women.
Mario must be a Republican.
Went to one of his restaurants (in Vegas). Lousy.
You’re right! If he was a Democrat he would have done it in the Oval Office.