 |
|
|
A children's charity, which is being headed by actress Anne Hathaway's beau, 29-year-old Italian businessman Raffaello Follieri, is being investigated by State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, New York Post reported.
Although it is unknown why the Manhattan-based Follieri Foundation is under investigation, over the last few weeks, Cuomo's investigators have served subpoenas seeking financial documents. The charity, which helps to fund child vaccination programs in developing countries, has not yet filed a "990" form, which is a tax-disclosure form the IRS requires of nonprofits.
A rep for Hathaway, who was member of the board of directors until last year when traveled to Central America with Follieri for a charity-funded vaccination program, said the actress is not familiar with the situation since is not involved with the charity anymore.
In the meantime, Follieri's spokeswoman, Melanie Bonvicino, said, "Raffaello Follieri and his attorney, Cyrus Vance [Jr.], have been cooperating fully with the Attorney General's Office to satisfy their routine inquiry.
"Furthermore, Mr. Follieri looks forward to concluding this matter in a timely and expeditious manner . . . so that he may continue to fulfill his ongoing philanthropic endeavors worldwide."
This isn't Follieri's first brush with the law, as he was arrested two months ago for bouncing a $215,000 check, which was written to an accountant on behalf of his real-estate company, "Follieri Group." Charges were dropped in May after he paid the money back.
Last year, Follieri was sued by a former business partner who accused him and the Follieri Group of "systematically misappropriating" a large sum of money his company had contributed to a joint venture to buy and redevelop Catholic Church properties. The lawsuit was settled earlier this year.
© 2007 - 2009 - eFluxMedia