Celebrity Chef Mario Batali and Joseph Bastianich reached an agreement to settle the sexual harassment and discrimination charges against them.
Batali, Bastianich, and their management company Pasta Resources doing business as B&B Hospitality agreed to pay $600,000 to victims of sexual harassment and discrimination at their restaurants in New York City.
The settlement agreement ends the four-year investigation into allegations that Batali and Bastianich fostered a hostile work environment that allowed sexual harassment and discrimination at Babbo, Lupa, and the now-closed Del Posto restaurants. Their actions violated the human rights laws of the city and state of New York.
The New York Attorney General’s Office started investigating the allegations against Batali Bastianich, and their management company in 2017. During that year, the #Me Too Movement exploded. Batali was among the celebrities accused of sexual harassment.
In a statement, New York Attorney General Letitia James said, “Celebrity and fame does not absolve someone from following the law. Sexual harassment is unacceptable for anyone, anywhere — no matter how powerful the perpetrator. Batali and Bastianich permitted an intolerable work environment and allowed shameful behavior that is inappropriate in any setting.”
