Later texts between friends that made jokes about Mr. Batali or possible payment for the images were just that, prosecutors said jokes. The woman has also filed a civil lawsuit against Batali that is still pending. Batali, known for his orange Crocs and ponytail, stepped down from day-to-day operations at his restaurant empire and left the since-discontinued ABC cooking show "The Chew" in December 2017 after four women accused him of inappropriate touching. Tene said she took a "flippant" tone in her texts but said she was not playing up the story: "At first, I wasnt even sure how to put it, so I put it lightly.". hide caption. In 2019, Batali was charged with indecent assault and battery for allegedly forcibly kissing and groping a woman at a Boston restaurant in 2017. US celebrity chef Mario Batali exits courtroom 17 at Boston Municipal Court on May 24, 2019, in Boston, Massachusetts. She was also accused in that case of violating the judge's orders to keep an open mind and not discuss the case with others. The investigation began in 2017, when the #MeToo movement exploded and news reports about Mario Batalis sexually aggressive behavior began to surface. Global Business and Financial News, Stock Quotes, and Market Data and Analysis. After four women accused him of inappropriate touching in 2017, Batali stepped down from day-to-day operations at his restaurant empire and left the since Its an understatement to say that Mr. Batali did not cover himself in glory on the night in question, Stanton said after prosecutors argued he was visibly drunk in the photos. Steven Senne/AP Celebrity chef Mario Batali, his business partner and their New York City restaurant company have agreed to pay $600,000 to resolve a four-year investigation by the state attorney general's office into allegations that Batali, restaurant managers and other workers sexually harassed employees. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, Pool). Celebrity chef Mario Batali's accuser testified Monday in the sexual misconduct trial. In announcing his decision, Boston Municipal Court Judge James Stanton agreed with the contention that the accuser had credibility issues. The woman said the photos were all taken relatively close up and didn't show how Batali, who she said was visibly drunk, was grabbing her private areas, touching her face and even sticking his tongue in her ear. After the verdict, Kevin Hayden, the Suffolk County district attorney, issued a statement expressing disappointment and acknowledging how difficult it can be for a victim to discuss sexual assault. Got a confidential news tip? In 2019, he entered a plea of not guilty to charges of indecent assault and battery of a In Boston, he had opened a branch of the popular Italian food marketplace Eataly and a Babbo Pizzeria e Enoteca in the citys Seaport District. Mario Batali, the celebrity chef who once sat atop a multimillion-dollar food enterprise and hosted a daytime TV talk show, was found not guilty of indecent assault and battery on Tuesday. In 2018, both B&B Hospitality Group and Eater bought out the cofounder in light of the accusations. CHEF MARIO BATALI'S ACCUSER TESTIFIES IN SEXUAL MISCONDUCT TRIAL. The investigation detailed formally what former employees had discussed on social media and in interviews: The men created a misogynistic culture where women regularly endured sexual comments, groping and kisses against their will. "On another occasion, Batali showed a male server at Lupa an unwelcome pornographic video. "She explained that, so, it started with her taking secretive pictures of Mario Batali and then him noticing that she was taking pictures and insisting on taking selfies," Buckley said in similar testimony given by Tene a day earlier. Related: Mario Batali settles two sexual assault lawsuits, We plan to leverage our partnership with celebrity chef Mario Batali and launch a series of events designed to tackle the problem of food insecurity in northern Michigan, owners Jason and Linda Gollan said in their application. All quotes delayed a minimum of 15 minutes. In 2019, Mr. Bastianich and his sister, Tanya Bastianich Manuali, purchased all of Mr. Batalis shares in a number of jointly owned restaurants, ending a 20-year relationship between the men. In his closing arguments, Mr. Batalis lawyer, Tony Fuller, said that Ms. Tene lied for fun and she lied for money, referring to a lawsuit she has filed against the chef. Mario Batali has been living with Parkinsons disease for several years and has been an advocate for awareness and research of the disease. Male colleagues would tell women to get on their knees or discuss the attributes of their mouths. Registered in England and Wales. He pleaded not guilty. Batali is among a number of high-profile men who have faced a public reckoning during the #MeToo social movement against sexual abuse and harassment in recent years. [1/7]Celebrity chef Mario Batali is seated at Boston Municipal Court during the first day of his trial on a criminal charge that he forcibly groped and kissed a woman at a restaurant in 2017, in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. May 9, 2022. 2023 CNBC LLC. Mr. Batali, 61, smiled and nodded as the judge acquitted him. FollowNew York Times Cooking on Instagram,Facebook,YouTube, TikTokandPinterest. The trial will take place April 11 in Boston Municipal Court, Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins office said Tuesday after a hearing. The defense did not call Batali to the stand, as previously anticipated. Sign up for free newsletters and get more CNBC delivered to your inbox. Eater broke the story on my thirty-ninth birthday: Mario was accused of sexual misconduct and abusive behavior by former staff and female journalists spanning back to the late 90s. ", But Fuller argued the accuser isn't a credible witness. The woman also testified that she felt embarrassed by the 2017 incident until she saw other women step forward to share similar encounters with Batali. One of those women, Trish Nelson, a former server who waited on Mr. Batali, said she wasnt surprised at the verdict in the Boston case. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Lines and paragraphs break automatically. He denied allegations of sexual assault but apologized for "deeply inappropriate" behavior. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. She wasnt sure if he was suspended or simply not scheduled to work when she was working. Batali had previously settled a $5.25 million Mario Batali the once-venerated Food Network chef who was accused of multiple instances of sexual misconduct and sexual assault between 2016-2019 and settled two of the lawsuits last summer seems to be getting back into restaurants again. But in his closing statements, Batalis lawyer Antony Fuller portrayed the 32-year-old Boston-area resident as an admitted liar who is financially motivated because shes filed a lawsuit seeking more than $50,000 in damages from Batali. The past few years have truly been a transformative period, Mr. Bastianich said in a statement sent to The Times. BOSTON (AP) Mario Batali was found not guilty of indecent assault and battery on Tuesday, following a swift trial in which the celebrity chef waived his right to have a jury decide his fate in a criminal case that arose from the global #MeToo movement against sexual abuse and harassment. "I thank the men and women who reported this abhorrent behavior for their bravery, selflessness, and commitment to accountability.". She told investigators she was harassed by a cook whose comments began as casual compliments about her appearance, escalated to repeated pressure to go on a date and culminated in a surprise bear hug that lifted her off her feet as she was about to head into work. In particular, I believe we were the first restaurant group in New York City that put in place a 24-hour employee hotline operated by a third party, she said. Batali, who pleaded not guilty to indecent assault and battery in 2019, could face up to 2 1/2 years in jail and be required to register as a sex offender if convicted. They revealed incidents in which she lied to get out of a gym membership and, in an effort to avoid jury duty, told another court that she was clairvoyant. Though I criticized him for it from time to time, I should have done more, he said. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. The woman said she didn't recall going to Eataly and maintained she isn't speaking out for financial gain. The prosecutor, Nina Bonelli, argued that all Natali Tene wanted was a good picture before Mr. Batali groped her. The only other witness called was a friend of Ms. Tenes, Rachel Buckley, 37. "My behavior was wrong and there are no excuses. She has offered support to one of the women as she went through the investigation into Mr. Batali and Mr. Bastianich. Both the accuser and Batali left the courtroom without speaking to reporters. Top 'SNL' "This happened to me and this is my life," the woman responded when prosecutors asked why she'd come forward. Babbo and Lupa are still operated by Bastianich, according to their websites. Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. "Celebrity and fame does not absolve someone from following the law," James said in a statement. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, Pool), DISGRACED CELEBRITY CHEF MARIO BATALI OPTS FOR NON-JURY TRIAL IN SEXUAL MISCONDUCT CASE. ( 2008-12) Spain on the road Again is a 2008 American food and travel series produced by PBS. I have made many mistakes, he said in an email newsletter at the time. When filling out a questionnaire for jury duty in an unrelated assault case, rather than choose the option of identifying as a crime victim to get out of jury service, she falsely claimed to be "clairvoyant," Fuller said in his opening statement. As part of a settlement brokered by Ms. Jamess office, the two men and Pasta Resources, the company formerly known as the Batali & Bastianich Hospitality Group, will pay a total of $600,000 to at least 20 women and men who were sexually harassed while they worked at the Manhattan restaurants Babbo, Lupa or Del Posto, which until it closed permanently in April was the crown jewel among the mens holdings. Foul play was not suspected. Messages seeking comment were left for lawyers for Batali and Bastianich. Batali and his NYC restaurant Babbo were hit with a second lawsuit for pay violations regarding the restaurant's staff. "Sexual harassment is unacceptable for anyone, anywhere no matter how powerful the perpetrator.". "Squeezing my vagina to pull me closer to him, as if that's a normal way to grab someone. hide caption. An investigation by the New York State attorney general describes a culture of widespread sexual harassment and retaliation at the Batali & Bastianich Hospitality Group. Both men's signatures appeared on the settlement agreement, dated Thursday. She just wanted a selfie.. And Ms. Tene told her story to the publication Eater only when she realized other women were coming forward. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, Pool), Batalis food empire included such high-end eateries as Babbo in Del Posto in New York City as well as restaurants in Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Singapore. or redistributed. Reuters provides business, financial, national and international news to professionals via desktop terminals, the world's media organizations, industry events and directly to consumers. Browse an unrivalled portfolio of real-time and historical market data and insights from worldwide sources and experts. Before a sexual abuse scandal ended their business relationship, Joe Bastianich, left, and Mario Batali had been partners for 20 years, starting with their first restaurant, Babbo. "While I cant speak for the countless other victims who faced ongoing harassment and discrimination, I can say that my time working for B&B permanently tarnished my goals and passions for hospitality," Pintens said. In 2018, New York City police said they were investigating allegations of sexual misconduct against Batali after a woman told CBS' 60 Minutes he drugged and sexually assaulted her in 2005. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Batali apologized that month, saying the allegations "match up" with ways he has acted. She told police he grabbed her breasts, buttocks and groin, forcibly kissed her mouth and cheeks, and suggested they head to his nearby hotel. Mr. Batali did not testify, and his defense team called no witnesses; on Monday, he waived his right to a jury trial. The money will be split among at least 20 former employees of B&B Hospitality and their Manhattan restaurants Babbo, Lupa and the now-closed Del Posto, all of which Batali co-owned with Joseph Bastianich until March 2019, Attorney General Letitia James announced Friday. Reuters, the news and media division of Thomson Reuters, is the worlds largest multimedia news provider, reaching billions of people worldwide every day. When the individual who committed such an abhorrent act is in a position of power or celebrity, the decision to report an assault can become all the more challenging and intimidating, he said. This was a sexual assault that happened to her and maybe others.. Chicago mayoral rivals Brandon Johnson and Paul Vallas are campaigning for Black voters ahead of the April 4 runoff. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, The settlement follows a four-year investigation by the attorney general's office that "found that B&B, Batali, and Bastianich had engaged in unlawful sex discrimination and retaliation, in violation of state and city human rights laws" at their restaurants Babbo, Lupa and the now-closed Del Posto, according to the agreement filed with the court. Screen for heightened risk individual and entities globally to help uncover hidden risks in business relationships and human networks. Chef Mario Batali has largely stayed away from the cameras following multiple allegations of sexual misconduct and his firing from The Chew in late 2017, but Only two witnesses testified during the trial, both for the prosecution. One manager told servers to get breast implants or make other changes in their appearance, the attorney general said. Reporter in Boston focused on immigration and race, Celebrity chef Mario Batali reacts after being found not guilty of indecent assault and battery at Boston Municipal Court on the second day of his trial, on Tuesday, May 10, 2022 in Boston. Francesco Sapienza for The New York Times. Prosecutors have said that Batali drunkenly assaulted Tene shortly after midnight on April 1, 2017, while posing with her for selfies at a bar near Boston's Eataly, the Italian market and restaurant he at the time part owned. Yvonne Lattouf-Delgado was found dead Wednesday in the northwest suburb. Access unmatched financial data, news and content in a highly-customised workflow experience on desktop, web and mobile. Celebrity chef Mario Batali is seated at Boston Municipal Court on the second day of his sexual misconduct trial on Tuesday, May 10, 2022. BOSTON (AP) Celebrity chef Mario Batalis trial on sexual misconduct charge in Boston has been set for April. Batali's lawyer, Antony Fuller, argued to discredit the woman, saying she had financial motives to accuse Batali as she was currently seeking $50,000 in damages from the chef in a separate Boston-based civil lawsuit. While one of the charges was dropped because it was outside the statute of limitations, Batali was found not guilty of indecent assault and battery in 2019 in one of the cases, and then settled with two of the victims last August. At the time, Mr. Batali offered an apology. Batali, whose high-flying career crumbled amid myriad sexual harassment and misconduct allegations, was accused in the New York investigation of pulling a waitress' hand toward his crotch as she served him and showing a waiter an unwelcome pornographic video. There is no known cure for Parkinsons disease, however there are treatments that can help manage the symptoms. After four women accused him of inappropriate touching in 2017, he stepped down from day-to-day operations at his restaurant empire and left the since-discontinued ABC cooking show The Chew.. His accuser, who also exited the courtroom without speaking with reporters, had testified how she felt confused and powerless to do anything to stop Batali at the time. "It was all happening so quickly and it was happening essentially the whole time," the woman testified in the trial, which resumes Tuesday in Boston Municipal Court. I have to judge the person in front of me and hes been nothing but helpful and humble [] were focused on being successful as a company and bringing on a partner with access to capital and industry relationships is a net benefit., /sites/all/themes/penton_subtheme_nrn/images/logos/footer.png, The disgraced celebrity chef settled two sexual assault lawsuits last summer, and now is investing in a Michigan bakery, 2023 Informa USA, Inc., All rights reserved, NRN editors talk about the NRAs recent report, what happens when children are banned from restaurants, and celebrity marketing, Duffys Sports Grill Mastered Gift Cards in a Flash, Examining new ways to collect restaurant guest data, It's time to Roll Up to Win at Tim Hortons with exciting new prizes, Subway opens new dual headquarters building in Miami, Menu Tracker: New items from Burger King, KFC, and Chipotle, San Diegos Trust Restaurant Group drives retention, innovation with culture of yes, Nations Restaurant News launches new CREATE Roadshow event series, Mario Batali settles two sexual assault lawsuits, Judge acquits Mario Batali of sexual misconduct, Allowed HTML tags:


. hide caption. Batali has offered an apology, acknowledging the allegations "match up" with ways he has acted. She described both witnessing and experiencing sexual harassment incidents, including being grabbed by a line cook. Batali and Bastianich also agreed to pay $600,000 to 20 former employees in 2021 as a result of a four-year investigation of sex-based discrimination found at the pairs restaurants by New York Attorney General Letitia James. In Boston, he opened the downtown Eataly location and Babbo Pizzeria e Enoteca in the city's Seaport District. Mario Batali sexual misconduct trial scheduled for April, Fancy coffee drinks can affect your well-being if you overindulge, Traditional pasta alternatives serve up lighter, often healthier options, Menu Planner: Treat yourself to marinated lamb chops, Camila Alves McConaughey takes on junk food-loving grownups in new childrens book, Bob Chinn, founder of famed Wheeling crab house, dead at 99, Simplicity of a pound cake only adds to its appeal, Dear Abby: When my husbands brother marries, I should be in the wedding, Jose Abreu on life with the Astros and leaving the White Sox, who werent a family in 2022, Founding fathers didnt own AR-15s or large capacity magazines, Pritzker and Raoul argue in defense of ban, Dear Abby: With boyfriends fussy father living here, I feel trapped, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and wife to invest $250 million in new Chicago research lab, Chicago mayor candidate Brandon Johnson in Selma for Bloody Sunday march, How Chicagoland native Mike Tauchman fits into Cubs outfield picture after Seiya Suzukis injury, Schaumburg man denied bail for allegedly fatally stabbing ex-girlfriend, Max Domi describes trade from Blackhawks to Stars: One of the crazier days, Man dies at Cook County Jail less than a day after being booked. Informa PLC's registered office is 5 Howick Place, London SW1P 1WG. Elisha Fieldstadt is a breaking news reporter for NBC News. A Division of NBCUniversal. Mr. Batali, reached via text message, said he would not comment on the settlement. Ms. Pintens told a general manager, who discouraged her from telling the human resources manager about it and suggested she figure out how to deal with it on her own. Rep. Danny Davis will endorse Johnson on Monday. Mario Batali was found not guilty of indecent assault and battery on Tuesday, following a swift trial in which the celebrity chef waived his right to have a jury Batali also apologized, acknowledging the allegations match up with ways he has acted. She never asked for it. Such was the case for Michelle Carter, the Massachusetts teen infamously charged with manslaughter for urging her suicidal boyfriend to kill himself in text messages and who was the subject of The Girl from Plainville, a 2022 Hulu show starring Elle Fanning. Mario Batali the once-venerated Food Network chef who was accused of multiple instances of sexual misconduct and sexual assault between 2016-2019 and ", After four women accused him of sexual misconduct in 2017, Batali stepped down from running his restaurants and was removed from the hit ABC cooking show, "The Chew.". I have made many mistakes and I am so very sorry that I have disappointed my friends, my family, my fans and my team, Batali said in an email newsletter at the time. Mr. Batalis lawyers pulled the images and texts from Ms. Tenes phone, which a judge ordered her to turn over as part of a lawsuit she filed against Mr. Batali in 2018, seeking damages for the infliction of emotional distress. The settlement follows a four This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Tales of Mr. Batalis late-night drunken parties and brutish behavior with women had circulated for years, but in the wake of investigations into Harvey Weinstein and others like the New Orleans chef John Besh, several women came forward publicly and accused Mr. Batali of sexual harassment on the job, and other forms of sexual abuse. "I have made many mistakes and I am so very sorry that I have disappointed my friends, my family, my fans and my team," Batali said in an email newsletter. He has paid $192,000 to the attorney generals office, which has distributed it to the 11 women who had made the accusations. Four women accused him of inappropriate touching in 2017, after which he stepped down from day-to-day operations at his restaurant empire and left the since-discontinued ABC cooking show "The Chew.". Legal Statement. The New York Police Department closed three investigations into sexual assault allegations against Mr. Batali in 2019 because detectives could not find enough evidence to make an arrest. He is one of several high-profile men to be accused in the #MeToo movement. The 61-year-old former Food Network personality quickly strode out of the courtroom with his lawyers without commenting on the case, which centered on allegations that he aggressively kissed and groped a Boston woman while taking a selfie at a bar in 2017. (Stuart Cahill/The Boston Herald via AP, Pool), celebrity chef Batali's sexual misconduct trial, Prince Harry addresses 'Spare' backlash in interview: 'I have never looked for sympathy in this', Shania Twain was 'uncontrollably fragile' from ex Mutt Lange's affair with friend: 'How could I be so stupid', Olivia Newton-John's daughter Chloe reveals 'promise' she made to mother before her death, Emma Stones 'And' co-star Willem Dafoe had her slap him 20 times to get scene right, Prince Harry's 'attacks' on 'villain' Camilla led to Frogmore Cottage eviction: expert, Film industry reacts to death of 'Saving Private Ryan' star Tom Sizemore: 'You're a legend'. Women were passed over for premier promotions in the dining room and told that girls couldnt be table captains, the investigation showed. Batalipleaded not guilty to indecent assault and batteryon allegations that he forcibly kissed and groped a woman after taking a selfie with her at a Boston restaurant in 2017. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. The attorney generals investigation, while not citing Mr. Bastianich for specific acts of sexual harassment, casts his role in a new, harsher light and emphasizes that both men were responsible for the toxic environment. "Batali himself sexually harassed a female server by making explicit comments to her and grabbing her hand while she was serving him and pulling it towards his crotch," according to the investigation. While being questioned by prosecutors Monday, the 32-year-old said Batali appeared drunk and was slurring his words and closing his eyes as they took multiple photos together at his insistence. Monday's trial opened after Batali in a surprise move waived his right to a jury trial and opted instead to have a judge decide his fate. Mario Batali's sexual misconduct trial opened Monday in a Boston court with his accuser recounting how she'd been "shocked, surprised and alarmed" as the celebrity chef aggressively kissed and groped her while taking selfies at a restaurant in 2017. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Then in 2018 and 2019, Batali faced both civil and criminal assault charges from multiple women, all claiming that the chef inappropriately touched and sexually harassed them. "The defense in this case is very simple: This didn't happen," Fuller said in his opening statement earlier in the day. When the individual who committed such an abhorrent act is in a position of power or celebrity, the decision to report an assault can become all the more challenging and intimidating.. WebDecember 2008. "Management routinely ignored these behaviors, made excuses for the perpetrators, and often used victim blaming as a way to avoid having to deal with a workplace culture rooted in fear and humiliation.". In addition to paying the employees, B&B, Batali and Bastianich must revise training materials in B&B restaurants and submit biannual reports, providing proof of training and records of harassment and discrimination. Batali faced up to 2 1/2 years in jail and wouldve been required to register as a sex offender if convicted. She said the woman tried to de-escalate the unwanted touching by simply smiling it off in the photos. Mario Batali appeared this morning in a Boston municipal court, where he pled not guilty to a charge of indecent assault and battery. Mr. Batali, who lost his job on the ABC talk and cooking show The Chew, still faces at least two civil suits and a potential criminal trial. The next day, a New York Times article detailed the accounts of several women who described incidents of sexual harassment and assault at the Spotted Pig, a favorite Manhattan playground of Mr. Batali and a number of other well-known chefs, musicians and sports stars. Batalis lawyer Anthony Fuller argued the assault never happened and that the accuser isnt a credible witness and has a financial incentive to lie. Steven Senne/Pool via REUTERS. After four women accused him of inappropriate touching in 2017, Batali stepped down from day-to-day operations at his restaurant empire and left the since-discontinued ABC cooking show The Chew., He also apologized, saying the allegations match up with ways he has acted. It was the second inmate death at the jail within two days. Of all the chefs accused in the #MeToo movement, he is the only one to face criminal charges. Fuller, though, argued Tene's credibility was undercut by text messages in which she discussed selling the photos to the media for $10,000 and joked about the incident with a friend who told her to "play up the story" talking to a reporter. The case is one of a handful of criminal prosecutions of celebrities following the explosion of the #MeToo movement in 2017, which exposed widespread patterns of sexual harassment or abuse of women in multiple spheres of American life. Three minutes later, she took another round of selfies with the chef. She said she felt embarrassed until she saw other women step forward to share similar encounters with Batali. His conduct and his appearance and his demeanor were not befitting of a public person of his stature at that time, he said. Ms. Tene sat in the back of the courtroom and left as soon as the verdict was read. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Celebrity chef Mario Batali, his business partner and their New York City restaurant company have agreed to pay $600,000 to resolve a four-year investigation into allegations that Batali, restaurant managers and other workers sexually harassed employees. This site is operated by a business or businesses owned by Informa PLC and all copyright resides with them. In an interview with Nations Restaurant News, Gollan said that Batali discovered their business early on, and demanded to meet the baker because he had just had the best bread he had ever tasted. Gollan called Batali a friend, fan and silent business partner who can provide advice, if needed. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Batali, 61, was previously accused of groping and kissing a woman at a Boston bar in the Back Bay area in 2017 while intoxicated. Celebrity and fame does not absolve someone from following the law.. Fox News Flash top entertainment and celebrity headlines are here. "You go to the restaurant of the guy who you claimed brutally assaulted you?" All rights reserved. Celebrity chef Mario Batali is seated at Boston Municipal Court on the second day of his sexual misconduct trial on Tuesday, May 10, 2022. particularly roiled the food and beverage industry. In her world, truth is a flexible concept, he said, referencing the womans recent admission of attempting to avoid jury service by claiming to be clairvoyant, which was a focus of the two-day trial. As the photo session began, she testified, so did the forced kissing and groping. Judge James Stanton delivered the ruling in Boston Municipal Court after a two-day bench trial that centered on testimony from Natali Tene, 32, who said Mr. Batali forcibly kissed and grabbed her during a late-night selfie session at a Boston bar in April 2017. Batali and his business partner in July agreed to pay $600,000 to at least 20 former employees to resolve claims by New York's attorney general that their Manhattan restaurants were rife with sexual harassment. I take full responsibility.". She said Ms. Tene sent her a picture of Mr. Batali the night of their encounter, along with texts that described him as appearing extremely drunk but didnt mention his grabbing her.