New York Attorney General Letitia James awarded $600,000 to victims of sexual harassment and discrimination at restaurants owned by celebrity chef Mario Batali and Joseph Bastianich, James said in a Friday news release.

This comes after a four-year investigation into Batali found that he, Bastianich and their management company B&B Hospitality fostered hostile work environments permitting sexual misconduct and harassment. The restaurants in question include New York City's Babbo, Lupa, and the since-closed Del Posto.

Victims reported unwanted touching, sexual advances and explicit comments made by managers, employees and other coworkers at the restaurants, according to the attorney general’s office.

“Celebrity and fame does not absolve someone from following the law. Sexual harassment is unacceptable for anyone, anywhere — no matter how powerful the perpetrator,” James said in the release. “Batali and Bastianich permitted an intolerable work environment and allowed shameful behavior that is inappropriate in any setting.”

Batali, Bastianich and B&B must now pay at least 20 employees $600,000, revise training materials and submit reports proving compliance.

“When my female coworkers and I were being sexually harassed by multiple people at Del Posto, the restaurant’s leadership made us feel as if we were asking for it — as if it is a rite of passage to be harassed at work,” former Del Posto line cook Juliana Imperati said in the attorney general’s release.

NY1 has reached out to Batali and Bastianich for comment.