Mario Batali Waives Jury Trial In Boston Sexual Misconduct Case

BOSTON— Celebrity chef Mario Batali waived his right to a jury trial Monday in the sexual misconduct case against him in Boston.

Batali is accused of forcibly kissing and groping a woman after taking a selfie with her at a Boylston Street restaurant in 2017.

The 61-year-old "Iron Chef" star from Seattle is charged with indecent assault and battery, stemming back to accusations from 2017.

While jury selection was scheduled to begin Monday, Batali opted for a bench trial, waiving his right to a jury.

In 2019, Batali pleaded not guilty to indecent assault and battery on allegations that he forcibly kissed and groped a woman after taking a selfie with her at a Back Bay restaurant in 2017. His trial had been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Natali Tene's attorney said Batali "enticed" his client to take a selfie with him, and while taking the photograph, he "groped her breasts, buttocks, and genitals, and kissed her repeatedly without her consent."

Once a beloved Food Network fixture who donned a ponytail and neon Crocs, Batali slipped away from the culinary scene and was reportedly kicked off ABC's show "The Chew" after four women accused Batali of sexual harassment and sexual assault in 2017.

Tene's attorney claims Mario Batali "abused his celebrity status" in committing "despicable acts."

In May 2018, a woman told Anderson Cooper on "60 Minutes" she was drugged and assaulted at The Spotted Pig, where, per the Times, Batali was an investor and a regular customer. Batali denied these accusations, but said that "much of the behavior described does, in fact, match up with ways I have acted."

"Mr. Batali must be held accountable criminally and civilly for his despicable acts," lawyers Eric Baum and Matthew Fogelman said in an email to the media once the Boston accusations came forward in 2019.

In March 2019, Batali sold all his restaurant holdings.