Mario Batali Now Under Criminal Investigation by Boston Police for Allegedly Groping Woman

Mario Batali is now facing criminal investigations in two states for sexual assault.

Natali Tene, the 28-year-old woman who is suing Batali in Massachusetts for groping her in a Boston bar last year, also filed a complaint against the chef with the Boston Police Department over the alleged assault. BPD confirmed to Eater that it is investigating Tene’s claim, which she made on June 22.

Tene, whose story was detailed in an Eater investigation earlier this year, claims that Batali rubbed her breasts, grabbed her buttocks, and forcibly kissed her in a Boston bar last April when the former fan took selfies with celebrity chef; she is suing Batali for assault and battery and seeking damages for emotional distress and humiliation. After Eater reported on Batali’s pattern of sexual misconduct in December, Tene — along with a number of other women — came forward to tell their accounts of being groped by Batali.

Batali is also being investigated by the NYPD over two claims of sexual assault, while the New York state attorney general’s office is investigating claims of sexual misconduct at the Spotted Pig, a restaurant where Batali allegedly sexually assaulted a woman.

This past April, Batali was allegedly floating the idea of making a comeback. Despite initial plans to divest from his restaurants by July 1, as of two weeks ago, he remains a partner in them; B&B Hospitality now states that it hopes the process will conclude by the end of August.

• Mario Batali Steps Away From Restaurant Empire Following Sexual Misconduct Allegations [ENY]
• Mario Batali Sued By Woman Who He Allegedly Groped [ENY]