Harassment of his subordinates in the military equestrian center of the Modena Academy, forced to always be at his disposal or reprimanded without reason.
But also a sexist attitude, with constant harassment of female soldiers, made up of sexual jokes, comments on physical appearance or stories about his experiences.
Even to the point of humiliating punishments, such as frequently washing the horses' genitals.
The Modena Prosecutor's Office contests this against Army lieutenant colonel Giampaolo Cati, who at the end of two years of investigations risks ending up on trial for stalking against four women and seven men, private violence with abuse of powers and authority and threats and insults to one's inferiors.
The officer is still active within the Academy, but has been transferred to another role.
Faced with accusations that the officer's defense says they want to demonstrate are "absolutely unfounded", the army is committed to "zero tolerance in prosecuting behaviors that are unacceptable for the armed force".
In a note, the army specifies that "it was the commander of the institute, following internal reports, who immediately sent the communication of the alleged crime to the military prosecutor's office, following which the officer was replaced as head equestrian center".
Faced with "very serious" crime cases, the army announces that "it will promote every action permitted by law to protect the image of the armed force".
The investigations were triggered by the victims' complaints and then also by the commander of the Academy himself, General Davide Scalabrin, who collected the reports internally.
The Military Prosecutor's Office of Verona is also proceeding.
Cati, defended by lawyers Guido Sola and Francesca Romana Pellegrini, in recent days received a notice of the end of the investigation, an act which usually preludes the request for indictment, signed by prosecutor Francesca Graziano.
Eight of the alleged victims, some of whom have taken leave in the meantime, are assisted by the lawyer Massimo Strampelli, who had already followed the case of hazing reported to the Latina Air Force, suffered by the former officer student Giulia Schiff, whom he assisted.
In the indictments against the lieutenant colonel, references are made to events that occurred between 2019 and 2021, such as spite and spite towards those who did not comply with his demands.
Then threats of retaliation, of hindering their careers and of compromising the competitions they intended to participate in.
And then unmotivated scolding, rude manners, outbursts of anger, screams, punches and kicks against doors and furnishings, behaviors that placed the staff in a constant state of fear.
The soldiers employed at the equestrian center were also contacted outside working hours, even in the evening.
According to the accusation, Cati forced the staff to work longer hours than required, in fact to always be at his disposal, denying permission, even for medical visits, and not granting rest shifts.
The accusation of private violence concerns the forcing of a soldier, under threat of retaliation on his career, to go to the center on days off, forcing him to ride a horse.
Among the insults, there are also references to the physical appearance and weight of women in service, and threats to have people transferred.
"You don't know what I'm capable of - the suspect allegedly said to a victim - if I want a person I'll drive them crazy until they leave, if I want to hurt a person I'll destroy them by attacking them around the neck without giving them breathing space, I'll never leave them again until I destroyed him. I would be capable of inventing anything about him, even personal ones, in order to destroy him and his family."
The defenders, lawyers Guido Sola and Francesca Romana Pellegrini, underline that there was never any abuse of power on Cati's part: "He operated in a hierarchical context, with consequent, daily control by superior officers".
"Encouraged by the many messages of affection received in recent hours, including from former students and soldiers, the officer is calm, has full faith in the judiciary and looks forward to being able to demonstrate the absolute groundlessness of the accusations in the competent bodies", they add .
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