Mario Batali Accuser Testifies in Sexual Misconduct Trial

thewrap.com:

The AP‘s report, the 32-year-old testified that she “felt confused and powerless to do anything to stop the celebrity chef.”“This happened to me and this is my life,” the woman added during questioning by prosecutors. “I want to be able to take control of what happened, come forward, say my piece and have everyone be accountable for their actions.”The woman also mentioned other women who stepped forward to voice similar experiences with Batali, saying she felt embarrassed by what happened until she heard their stories.Anthony Fuller, Batali’s lawyer, said the assault did not happen, and said the accuser has financial incentive to lie about it.

Fuller also detailed that the woman seeks more than $50,000 in damages in a separate suit against Batali that’s pending in Suffolk County Superior Court in Boston.Fuller also produced evidence to counter the woman’s claim in the form of receipts from the Boston Eataly, which Batali once owned.

With the receipts, dated after the 2017 incident, Fuller argued that she continued to support the business after what happened.

Fuller also brought up the selfies in question, during cross-examination, questioning why none of them indicated any sign of alleged assault.In response, the woman said the close-up framing of the photos wouldn’t have shown where Batali was touching her.