Jury Sides With Nigella Lawson's Ex-Assistants

Nigella Lawson's ex-assistants were acquitted today of defrauding Charles Saatchi of more than $1 million. Apparently the jury believed Elisabetta and Francesca Grillo's claim that they were allowed to spend the money, using Saatchi's company credit card, in return for not revealing his then-wife's drug problems, the New York Daily News reports. Among the things they purchased: designer clothes and fancy vacations. The trial has damaged Lawson's reputation, especially after she admitted to some drug use, and ABC isn't sure it will keep her as a judge on The Taste next season.

The most recent tidbit to come out of the trial: The Grillos claim Lawson was high on coke while she wrote her cookbooks. Lawson is reportedly planning to sit for an interview with Oprah Winfrey, where one imagines all these claims will be thoroughly discussed. Some good news for the celebrity chef: Scotland Yard will not investigate her alleged drug use, E! reports. (More Nigella Lawson stories.)