Hearing scheduled in Mario Batali’s indecent assault case

Aug 30, 2019 | 6:21 AM

BOSTON — A hearing is scheduled in the indecent assault and battery case against celebrity chef Mario Batali.

Batali is not required to attend Friday’s hearing at Boston Municipal Court. A spokeswoman for Suffolk District Attorney Rachael Rollins says the hearing will address legal motions.

Batali pleaded not guilty in May to a charge that he forcibly kissed and groped a woman at a Boston restaurant in 2017. His career crumbled in the wake of that and other accusations of sexual misconduct.

The accuser says Batali noticed her taking a photo of him at the restaurant and invited her to take a selfie with him. She says Batali then groped and kissed her repeatedly without her consent.