Celebrity chef Mario Batali agrees to RM2.5mil settlement over sexual harassment

US celebrity chefs Mario Batali (pic) and Joseph Bastianich agreed to pay US$600,000 in a settlement to 20 former employees over sexual harassment allegations, the New York Attorney General said July 23. Photo: AFP

Celebrity chef Mario Batali and his business partner have agreed to pay $600,000 (RM2.5mil) to at least 20 former employees after an investigation found their Manhattan restaurants were rife with sexual harassment, the New York attorney general announced on Friday.

The culture of unwanted groping, kissing, hugging, sexual advances and explicit comments at Babbo, Lupa and Del Posto broke New York human rights laws, Attorney General Letitia James said in a statement.