Mario Bataliis being investigated for a secondsexual assault allegation.
Just one day after a source at the New York Police Departmentconfirmed to theHuffington PostthatBatali is under criminal investigationfor a sexual assault accusation, theNew York Timesis reporting another woman has come forward with a similar allegation.
According to theNew York Times, the previously unreported complaint states that a woman told police on March 15 that Batali drugged and sexually assaulted her in 2004 at Babbo, his restaurant in New York City’s Greenwich Village. The unidentified woman says she went to use the restroom upstairs and the next memory she had was waking up as Batali was raping her, according to an anonymous source familiar with the complaint.
The60 Minutesreportthat aired on CBS Sunday featured multiple accusers who discussed their stories with correspondentAnderson Cooper.On Monday, NYPD Lieutenant John Grimpel confirmed to PEOPLE they are investigating allegations raised in the report.
The woman, who says she was drinking wine with Batali before passing out, says she reported the incident after finding scratches on her leg and apparent semen on her skirt, but did not file a complaint despite a NYPD detective encouraging her to do so.
In a statement Batali tells PEOPLE: “I vehemently deny any allegations of sexual assault. My past behavior has been deeply inappropriate and I am sincerely remorseful for my actions. I am not attempting a professional comeback. My only focus is finding a personal path forward where I can continue in my charitable endeavors – helping the underprivileged and those in need.”
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In December,10 women came forwardin aNew York Timesarticle, describing how Friedman has allegedly been subjecting his employees to unwanted sexual advances for years.
“Many others also said that working for him required tolerating daily kisses and touches, pulling all-night shifts at private parties that included public sex and nudity, and enduring catcalls and gropes from guests who are Mr. Friedman’s friends,” the article reads.
Friedman issued an apologyafter the report was released, saying: “Some incidents were not as described, but context and content are not today’s discussion. I apologize now publicly for my actions.” He then said his behavior is accurately described as “abrasive, rude and frankly wrong.”
In astatement toEaterfollowing the initial allegations,Batali, who was fired from ABC’s The Chew in December, said: “I apologize to the people I have mistreated and hurt. Although the identities of most of the individuals mentioned in these stories have not been revealed to me, much of the behavior described does, in fact, match up with ways I have acted. That behavior was wrong and there are no excuses. I take full responsibility and am deeply sorry for any pain, humiliation or discomfort I have caused to my peers, employees, customers, friends and family.”
In a statement to PEOPLE on Sunday, B&B Hospitality Group — Batali’s restaurant company he co-founded in 1988 with his business partners Joe and Lidia Bastianich — described the stories on60 Minutesas “chilling and deeply disturbing,” adding, “This was the first we learned of them.”
source: people.com
