A sadder chapter in Anne Hathaway’s life has ended – former
boyfriend Raffaello Follieri, who pleaded guilty in September to 14 counts of
wire fraud, money laundering and conspiracy, was sentenced to four and a half
years in prison on Thursday.
Raffaello Follieri lived a life many could only dream of and
it unfortunately turned out to indeed be the stuff of dreams, as the Italian
businessman was in fact stealing his way to comfort and luxury.
He had in fact been occupying himself for a number of years
(and would have for longer if not caught) pretending to have Vatican
connections and thus fooling his unsuspecting victims into investing in Roman
Catholic Church property which he claimed to offer at a discount.
He used millions of dollars from these investors on personal
expenses that allowed him to live a life fit for the rich and famous. Prosecutors
said he used the money to acquire cosmetics, jewelry and clothes, expensive
wines and dinners, to rent a $37,000-a-month Manhattan condominium and yachts and to pay
for vacations he treated himself to as well as his parents and former
girlfriend Anne Hathaway.
Follieri, 30, and Hathaway, 25, dated for nearly four years.
The relationship ended shortly before his arrest in June. Hathaway’s film “Get
Smart” was released just about then and the actress bravely appeared in public
to support her project and faced indiscrete questions from the media.
In mid-September, Follieri pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit
wire fraud and money laundering. Thursday, Oct. 23, he was sentenced in Manhattan federal court
to four and a half years (54 months) behind bars.
As part of his agreement with prosecutors, Follieri is also
required to give up $2.4 million, jewelry and twelve watches. There will be no
fine. He also receives three years of supervised release. Another hearing will
take place in December. Follieri is likely to be deported to Italy after he
completes his sentence.
His attorney, Flora Edwards, has requested that Follieri be
imprisoned at Fort Dix, N.J.,
or in Otisville, N.Y. Edwards understandably did her best to
defend her client, telling the court that Follieri had started his business, the
Follieri Group, with good intentions, only to find himself involved more and more
deeply in the scheme. She also said he had been fascinated by the lifestyle his
Hollywood friends led.
His lavish habits came to an abrupt end in June, after he
was arrested and, failing to post a $21 million bond, he was held in a jail
cell.
