HOT WATER

NYPD Launches Probe Into New Mario Batali Accusations

Announces investigation after ‘60 Minutes’ aired new allegations against celebrity chef.

After Sunday night’s 60 Minutes put forward new sexual-assault accusations against celebrity chef Mario Batali, the New York Police Department announced Monday that it would be investigating the allegations, the Associated Press reports. An unnamed woman told CBS News that she was having a glass of wine with Batali in 2005 and later then woke up on the floor of Spotted Pig restaurant in New York City “feeling drugged and assaulted.” Batali claims that he never assaulted the woman. The 60 Minutes report interviewed former employees of the restaurant, where Batali was an investor–and claimed that he was a “monster” and would exhibit inappropriate behavior toward employees often. Batali stepped down from his television show and businesses after four women came forward accusing him of “inappropriate touching [them] over a period of 20 years.”