Mario Batali acquittal underscores perils of #MeToo cases

Bob Bakish, CEO of Paramount Global, has canceled a scheduled appearance at a media conference this afternoon due to illness. The chief executive had been slated for an afternoon Q&A keynote session at J.P. Morgan’s 47th Annual Global Technology, Media and Communications Conference in Boston.

“The Coup” in partnership with AP productions. Exile also holds the IP for the character Manolito Gafotas, whose books have been translated into more than 20 languages in 22 countries.

Jennifer Maas TV Business WriterKevin Mayer and Tom Staggs’ Candle Media has acquired Spanish-language producer Exile Content Studio.Per Candle Media, “Exile’s mission is to create content featuring the experiences and voices of diverse Spanish-speaking communities from around the world.”The company was founded in 2019 by Isaac Lee, formerly the chief content officer for Univision and Televisa. The production company specializes in feature films, scripted and unscripted television, music and audio storytelling and commerce activities for digital media.Exile, which is has its headquarters in Los Angeles and offices in Mexico City, Madrid, and Miami, will continue to be overseen by Lee and Exile’s senior management team for day-to-day operations.

Kevin Mayer and Tom Staggs’ Candle Media has acquired its latest company, Spanish-language content powerhouse Exile Content Studio.

The stars love to travel! Us Weekly has all the details on which music festival the stars will be rocking out at as well as one of the top-notch resorts where they’re heading for summer vacation. Plus, get the scoop on the hair and skin products they’re obsessing over ahead of their trips.

Boston Common Asset Management, which handles mutual funds and other assets for institutions and individuals, argued to formalize an annual lobbying report via Proposal 8, which is to go before Netflix shareholders for a proxy vote. Netflix has opposed Prop 8, saying an annual lobbying report would be duplicating current efforts.Boston Common disagrees.

As expected, A Beautiful Noise, The Neil Diamond Musical is heading to Broadway, with producers announcing today that previews will begin Wednesday, November 2, at the Broadhurst Theatre, with an official opening night on Sunday, Dec. 4.

EXCLUSIVE: Showtime has announced a new date for the third-season return of City on a Hill starring Kevin Bacon and Aldis Hodge. The series that also stars Jill Hennessy, Lauren E. Banks and Matthew Del Negro will premiere on Sunday, July 31 at 10 p.m. Eight, one-hour episodes are planned. Watch the new trailer above.

Todd Spangler NY Digital EditorCandle Media, the next-gen media roll-up play run by ex-Disney execs Kevin Mayer and Tom Staggs, announced the acquisition of ATTN:, a media company that produces short-form news content for Gen Z and millennial audiences.Financial terms weren’t disclosed. According to a source familiar with the pact, Candle Media is paying about $100 million for ATTN: in cash and stock; the deal could be worth up to $150 million with additional earn-out provisions.

Actor Fred Ward has died, aged 79. The news of the ‘Tremors’ star was confirmed by his publicist Ron Hoffman, but he did not provide a cause or location, respecting his family’s wishes.

Video: Kim Kardashian claims Kanye West was upset when she wore 'Marge Simpson' outfit to event (Cover Video)Mario Batali acquitted in Boston sexual assault caseIN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Michelle Williams expecting third childIN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Diane Kruger reveals daughter's nameNetflix could have an ad tier by the end of 2022James Hong becomes oldest actor to receive Hollywood Walk of Fame starJames Cromwell protests vegan milk prices by gluing hand to Starbucks counterMadonna selling three NFTs for charityPour Blac Chyna, le juge de son procès contre les Kardashian n'était pas impartialBlac Chyna claims judge in Kardashians defamation case was 'extremely biassed'Dua Lipa to focus on 'being good with being alone' following Anwar Hadid splitMichael Bublé and Luisana Lopilato expecting baby girlHilary Duff believes Disney bosses were 'spooked' by plans for Lizzie McGuire rebootDiane Kruger reveals daughter's nameElon Musk says he would reverse Twitter's Trump banMichelle Williams expecting third childMovie locations you can visit in real lifeElsewhere in the conversation, Kim acknowledged that she was ready to move on when she filed to divorce Kanye in February 2021, but her ex was refusing to sign the papers at the time. "I don't know, I ask him all the time.

Mario Batali has been found not guilty of indecent assault and battery stemming from an alleged 2017 incident.According to multiple reports, the Boston Municipal Court Judge announced his ruling on Tuesday and agreed with the defense team's argument that the accuser had credibility issues. The trial lasted all of two days after Batali on Monday waived his right to a jury trial, meaning his fate was in the hands of the judge.Among the issues that stymied the accuser's credibility is that Batali's lawyer pointed to the accuser's recent admission of trying to avoid jury duty by claiming to be psychic.

CNN, Judge James Stanton described Batali’s actions “not befitting of a public person of his stature” back in 2017, noting the accuser’s “significant credibility issues” that supported the defendant’s “contention that her motive was financial gain.”Natali Tene, the 32-year-old woman who testified yesterday, said Batali’s behavior took place during her attempt to take a selfie at the restaurant in 2017. In her testimony, Tene described what happened, saying she “felt confused and powerless to do anything to stop the celebrity chef.”Anthony Fuller, Batali’s lawyer, said the assault did not happen, and said the accuser has financial incentive to lie about it. Fuller also detailed that the woman seeks more than $50,000 in damages in a separate suit against Batali that’s pending in Suffolk County Superior Court in Boston.Fuller also produced evidence to counter the woman’s claim in the form of receipts from the Boston Eataly, which Batali once owned.

Mario Batali was found not guilty.

Mario Batali was found not guilty of indecent assault and battery on Tuesday, following a swift trial in which the celebrity chef waived his right to have a jury decide his fate.

Celebrity chef Mario Batali was found not guilty today on a charge of indecent assault and battery stemming from an alleged 2017 groping incident in a Boston bar. It was the first criminal charge for the former The Chew chef amid a number of sexual assault and harassment allegations.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior CorrespondentMario Batali has been cleared of charges that he groped a woman at a Boston bar in 2017, as a judge ruled on Tuesday that the celebrity chef is not guilty of indecent battery and assault.Batali — the famed TV chef and restauranteur behind Eataly, who fell from grace in 2017, following a series of sexual misconduct allegations — was on criminal trial this week in Boston with a woman who was accusing him of forcible kissing and groping. Batali was facing two-and-a-half years in prison, if found guilty.The quick trial spanned two days. Batali waived his right to a trial by jury, and did not take the stand.

The AP‘s report, the 32-year-old testified that she “felt confused and powerless to do anything to stop the celebrity chef.”“This happened to me and this is my life,” the woman added during questioning by prosecutors. “I want to be able to take control of what happened, come forward, say my piece and have everyone be accountable for their actions.”The woman also mentioned other women who stepped forward to voice similar experiences with Batali, saying she felt embarrassed by what happened until she heard their stories.Anthony Fuller, Batali’s lawyer, said the assault did not happen, and said the accuser has financial incentive to lie about it.

Celebrity chef Mario Batali's accuser testified Monday in the sexual misconduct trial. The trial began in Boston on Monday after Batali waived his right to a jury trial. A judge will decide the chef's fate at the conclusion of the trial.