Celebrity Chef Michael Chiarello Arrested On DUI And Drug Possession Charges

Celebrity chef and Food Network star Michael Chiarello is not having a great 2016. Earlier this year, the host of Easy Entertaining was sued  on sexual harassment charges in two separate lawsuits by former employees.This past weekend, Chiarello was arrested on charges of drug possession and driving under the influence in Yountville, California.

The highway patrol officer confirmed Chiarello was arrested shortly after 3:30 a.m. in Napa, and that he was driving from his Bottega restaurant in Yountville. He was arrested and subsequently released after posting a $5,000 bail.

A spokesperson for Chiarello said he was embarrassed and had apologized to the people closest to him, but that "he intends to vigorously challenge the misdemeanor charges filed against him," according to the Los Angeles Times.

The arrest came just days after the Chiarello settled the lawsuit between his two former employees who said they were "forced to endure a hostile, sexually-charged work environment."