Mario Batali Website Posts False Banner on Donating Proceeds to Women’s Advocacy Group

As previously reported, celebrity chef Mario Batali is now under criminal investigation for his alleged sexual misconduct by the NYPD. Also, TMZ is reporting that Mario Batali’s website apparently put up a false banner on donating proceeds from the sales to a group called Women Employed.

According to the report, the website MarioBataliSauces.com had a banner on its landing page that the makers of Batali’s sauces would donate proceeds from the sales to Women Employed. Women Employed is an advocate group for working women. That organization is claiming they have yet to receive any sale proceeds.

However, the report claims that a rep for the organization was unaware the banner was on the website for Batali. There were reportedly early talks about a partnership, but Women Employed ultimately opted not to move forward. As a result, the organization has not received any type of financial compensation from the website.

Additionally, it appears Batali’s sauce makers have parted ways with the chef over the recent misconduct allegations. Later on, a spokesperson for Batali’s brand licensing company stated the following:

“There have been no sales of Mario Batali sauces by our licensee since December 2017 as retailers discontinued carrying the product at that time. Mario Batali has received no royalty or payment of any kind since that time. We apologize for any confusion and have asked our licensee to take down the website.”