Mario Batali Pleads Not Guilty to Charge of Indecent Assault and Battery in 2017 Case

Celebrity chef Mario Batali pleaded not guilty Friday to a price that he forcibly kissed and groped a woman at a Boston restaurant in 2017. Batali, 58, carrying his signature crimson ponytail and a blazer, did not speak throughout the short hearing but nodded because the choose ordered him to stay faraway from the woman and witnesses in the case.

The court docket entered a now not responsible plea on his behalf to a charge of indecent attack and battery.

Batali changed into launched on his very own recognizance. He will now not need to appear at the next hearing, scheduled for July 12.

It's the first crook rate levied towards Batali following sexual harassment and assault allegations that first surfaced in 2017.

The woman says Batali observed her taking a photo of him on the eating place and invited her to take a selfie with him. She says Batali then groped and kissed her again and again with out her consent. The woman filed a civil lawsuit against Batali in August, looking for unspecified damages for "excessive emotional misery." The lawsuit has not been resolved, reports CBS Boston.

Batali did not remark as he walked via a slew of journalists to leave the courthouse Friday. His lawyer stated in advance this week that the charge is "with out merit."

"He intends to combat the allegations vigorously and we expect the outcome to absolutely vindicate Mr. Batali," lawyer Anthony Fuller stated in an emailed declaration on Wednesday.

The girl's legal professionals applauded the Suffolk District Attorney's Office for bringing the case. They stated Batali "abused his movie star reputation."

"Mr. Batali must be held accountable criminally and politely for his despicable acts," lawyers Eric Baum and Matthew Fogelman said in an e mail to media.

Batali ought to face up to two and a 1/2 years in jail, if convicted. He would also have to check in as a intercourse wrongdoer.

Batali's food empire protected such excessive-cease eateries as Babbo in Del Posto in New York City as well as eating places in Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Singapore. He have become a household call via appearances Food Network along with "Iron Chef America."

He stepped down from operations of his eating places and become kicked off the ABC show The Chew in 2017 after four women accused him of beside the point touching.

Batali said at the time approximately those allegations that "tons of the conduct defined does, in reality, healthy up with ways I actually have acted."

He additionally got here underneath fireplace for sending a e-newsletter to subscribers that included both an apology for "many errors" and a recipe for a "vacation-stimulated breakfast."

Batali introduced in March that his longtime accomplice, Joe Bastianich, and others had bought out his proportion in his eating places.

Following a 60 Minutes document, the NYPD showed it was investigating allegations Batali drugged and sexually assaulted a lady in 2005.

Batali denied assaulting her. New York police closed their investigations in January without submitting any costs.