Mario Batali Faces New Sexual Misconduct Allegations

Disgraced chef Mario Batali faces new allegations of sexual conduct following a 60 Minutes segment on Sunday night. The New York Police Department told the CBS news show that Batali is under investigation for potentially criminal behavior, although specifics were not revealed.

Anderson Cooper talked to several women who worked at The Spotted Pig, the New York restaurant in which Batali invested and where groping incidents were reported. A new anonymous former Babbo employee came forward on the show, alleging that Batali drugged and sexually assaulted her in 2005. She cited scratches on her leg and semen on her skirt as evidence of a sexual assault after she woke up on the third floor of The Spotted Pig surrounded by broken bottles the next morning. The woman did undergo an examination at a hospital, but declined to file a police report. Batali denies the incident.

The downfall of Batali started last December when an Eater investigation revealed multiple allegations of sexual misconduct. Soon after, Batali stepped away from his Italian restaurant empire. The celebrity chef who appeared on The Chew and owns three restaurants in Las Vegas — Carnevino at the Palazzo, B&B Ristorante at the Venetian, and Otto at the Grand Canal Shoppes — admitted at the time that “much of the behavior described does, in fact, match up with ways I have acted.” Batali also has a stake in Eataly, opening at the Park MGM later this year.

In a statement to Eater New York, Batali & Bastianich Hospitality Group says other partners were unaware of the allegations made public on Sunday night and described them as “chilling and deeply disturbing.” Terms of Batali’s divestment from two dozen restaurants nationwide will finalize on July 1.

• Mario Batali and The Spotted Pig [60 Minutes]

• NYPD Is Investigating Mario Batali for Sexual Misconduct Allegations [ENY]