"The relations of the association with Prof. Gavino Mariotti, Magnificent Rector of the University of Sassari". This is the title of a substantial paragraph of the order of the investigating judge of the Court of Cagliari , Michele Contini, which led to the arrest of 31 alleged members of a criminal group which included white collar workers and historic exponents of Sardinian banditry.
And the "association" in question, with which Mariotti (who is not under investigation) had frequent contact, was of a mafia and secret nature according to the investigators.
The vicinity
The Rector is defined as "among the cultural personalities closest to the association, or at least to the criminally qualified members of the group". By virtue of this bond he would not only have participated - and also organized (in a manner defined as "questionable") - frequent "snacks" with the group's promoter Nicolò Cossu and his accomplice Tonino Crissantu. But according to the documents he would have enjoyed their concrete support, through the search for academic votes, during the elections to lead the University of Sassari. And in exchange he would have offered maximum availability to satisfy the interests of the association. For example when he committed to having the inmate Gianni Piras undergo surgery - without taking into account waiting lists and other priorities.
A reconstruction which in the last few hours led the Carabinieri of the provincial command of Sassari to carry out a raid on the offices of the general management of the University and of the university hospital: documentation relating to the election of Mariotti and subsequent appointments was acquired.
The supports and the library
In 2020 it would have been the current Magnifico himself who asked Tonino Crissantu, with whom he has a close relationship, to contact a university professor to guarantee his support for the election. When Mariotti won, there was an intense exchange of congratulatory phone calls among the band members. And the professor contacted (with others)? In February 2021 he called Nicolò Cossu to inform him of his new position as head physician, explaining that he had been favored by Mariotti himself. Who in turn would have dispensed favors, even small ones, to those arrested in Orgolese. Like when To nino Crissantu needed to attend a graduation party. Problem: as an employee of the Nuoro library he didn't have a day off. But he cared about the event. So he asked the rector to intervene with the liquidator of the Nuoro University Consortium to convince him to impose a day of forced closure of the public service. Asked, done. Mariotti calls his friend: "All done, they're making the decree." Library closed and participation in the graduation party guaranteed.
The rector's reply
«I have not received any notification, I don't know that he is under investigation. I haven't read the documents but I don't understand what they can accuse me of, having organized snacks?". These are Mariotti's words after the media explosion of the investigation and the arrival of the police at the University. "We have given maximum collaboration, they have taken documents as part of this investigation, but I am calm." He admits acquaintances with Crissantu ("he is a former student of mine") and rejects any exploitation and construction on supposed favors. «The prisoner», he says, «urgently needed surgery and I only asked the head doctor when it was scheduled, I didn't apply any pressure», he explains. On the hypothesized support of the band to ensure him the votes necessary to conquer the rector's seat, Mariotti shakes his head in disbelief: «What are we talking about? Who and how could have influenced the electorate?".