Porn star turned professor Ruggero Freddi wins unfair dismissal case against Rome’s Sapienza University

A porn star who became a maths professor has won a legal battle after his university fired him when his previous career became known.

A porn star turned professor has won an unfair dismissal case against a university which sacked him because it allegedly became squeamish about his previous career.

An Italian court ruled Rome’s Sapienza University should never have sacked Ruggero Freddi, 46, and ordered it to pay him damages.

“I was forced to sue. And I won,” he told Italy’sLa Repubblicanewspaper.

When working in adult entertainment, Dr Freddi was known as Carlo Masi.

He was employed by Colt, one of the most prolific US gay porn studios, and starred in classics such as Big ‘N’ Plenty and Man Country.

It was during this time he met his now husband Gustavo Alejandro Leguizamon who is also a former porn star. He has also now completed his PhD.

Dr Freddi retired from porn in 2009, aged 34, and later returned to Italy.

He earned a bachelor of science degree in maths followed by a masters in the same subject.

In 2020, Dr Freddi completed a PhD in mathematical models for engineering, electromagnetism and nanosciences.

Ruggero Freddi in a picture from his pre-academia days. Picture: Instagram

Freddi teaching at the Rome university. Picture: Instagram

‘It wasn’t exactly a secret’

He became a professor at the faculty of engineering at Sapienza in 2017.

Then he took on a teaching position and worked 60 of the 100 allotted hours before, Dr Freddi said, he was let go with no explanation and without adequate pay for the work completed.

His dismissal came after his previous career became known.

Dr Freddi had posted a video of himself flexing his muscles on Facebook and someone recognised him and contacted a local reporter.

“Some students reported the photo in a few sites and from there my former life as a porn actor emerged,” he said.

“To be honest, it wasn’t exactly a secret.”

Ruggero and husband Gustavo Alejandro Leguizamon. Picture: Instagram

However, Dr Freddi told La Repubblica that he no longer felt welcomed at his workplace.

“It’s just my opinion. But I felt like there were prejudices around me, which were beyond my skills as a teacher and as a data analyst, the role I occupy today,” he said.

He said extra-curricular activities he had proposed were cancelled for no reason.

Dr Freddi filed the lawsuit in Rome’s civil court and was awarded $4011 in unpaid wages and $2406 for “unsatisfied dismissal”.

“I was forced to sue. And I won. I hope my case gives courage to all PhD students who are exploited after years of studies and specialisations,” he said after the ruling.

Originally published as Porn star turned professor Ruggero Freddi wins unfair dismissal case against Rome’s Sapienza University