California residents, like people across the United States, have likely seen the news reports of late detailing alleged sexual harassment by men in positions of power. These men work in a variety of fields, ranging from the entertainment industry to the business world and politics. Recently, another name was added to the list of men who were accused and admitted to engaging in sexual harassment. Renowned Chef Mario Batali has been accused of sexual misconduct and harassment by numerous women, many of whom made their accusations anonymously.
Batali’s business empire includes multiple restaurants, cookbooks, and a TV show that he co-hosts on ABC. When the accusations surfaced, Batali made no attempt to deny them. Even though he did not know the identity of the women who were making the accusations, he made comments to the effect that the allegations do reflect his past behavior.
As a result of the allegations against him, Batali is stepping away from all of the business endeavors that have led to his fame in the cooking world. Batali is estimated to have a net worth between $25 million and $30 million, according to reports in the Wall Street Journal and Forbes.
The allegations against Batali were made by four women. They accuse him of engaging in inappropriate behavior, dating all the way back to 20 years ago. They accuse him of groping, inappropriate touching, making crude jokes, and pressing his body against theirs.
Employees have rights that are protected by law. If an employee is a victim of sexual harassment in the workplace, he or she may be entitled to compensation for the damages they suffered. An employment law attorney will help the client see the measures that they can take to protect themselves from harassment, even if they are still employed by the alleged harasser. The attorney may help their client settle the case or if necessary bring their case to trial.
