No Charges Filed For Popular Seal Beach Chef In Alleged Date Rape

SEAL BEACH, CA — The Orange County District Attorney's Office will not file charges against a popular Seal Beach chef in the alleged date rape he was accused of over the weekend. The case, pending further investigation from the Seal Beach Police Department, an OCDA spokesperson told Patch.

Darryl Lee Matanane, a 55-year-old chef at Bistro St. Germain, was arrested on Friday by the Seal Beach Police Department following accusations of an alleged date rape incident. After the DA declined the case, Matanane was released from Orange County Jail on Wednesday.

Reports from the scene state that an unidentified woman went to the restaurant was out with friends and stopped by Bistro St. Germain for a glass of wine, that was served to her allegedly by Matanane. The next thing she knew, she awoke in a strange apartment. Fearing she had been raped after being drugged, she called the police.

"The victim does not remember how she got into the apartment," Seal Beach Police Department Sgt. Michael Henderson said. "During the course of the investigation, detectives identified Matanane as the suspect."

Matanane was initially booked on suspicion of serving a spiked alcoholic beverage and then sexually assaulting the woman. Seal Beach police released his photo to investigate if other witnesses had observed similar instances. There is no word yet as to other complaints against the chef. Anyone with further information on the case should call police at 562-799-4100.

Matanane was initially suspended by the restaurant during the investigation. There is no word yet if he has been removed from suspension by the Bistro St. Germain restaurant.

Seal Beach Police Department