Anne Hathaway’s Former Boyfriend Arrested for Fraud and Impersonating Vatican Representative

Raffaello Follieri, a 29-year-old Italian businessman who was previously in a relationship with actress Anne Hathaway, was apprehended on Tuesday on charges of defrauding wealthy investors.

It is alleged that he posed as a representative of the Vatican in order to deceive individuals into investing in a real estate company that aimed to purchase and redevelop Roman Catholic Church properties.

During a court appearance, bail was set at $21 million for Follieri.

Federal prosecutors claim to possess “overwhelming” evidence that he misused up to $6 million of investor funds on an extravagant lifestyle.

This lifestyle included privately chartered jet travel with his girlfriend and others, expensive meals and clothing, and a luxurious apartment in Manhattan.

Although the girlfriend was not explicitly named, it has been widely reported that Hathaway, known for her roles in films such as “Get Smart,” “The Devil Wears Prada,” and “The Princess Diaries,” had recently dated Follieri.

Follieri, visibly agitated, repeatedly interrupted his lawyer during the court proceedings to provide instructions.

He vehemently denied allegations made against him and proclaimed that debts had been paid.

Prosecutor Reed Michael Brodsky asserted that Follieri used claims of connections to the Vatican to entice investors into providing millions of dollars.

He argued that Follieri had defrauded an investor as recently as last month.

In a bid to convince Magistrate Judge Henry B. Pitman to deny bail, Brodsky emphasized that Follieri possessed the resources, connections, and motivation to flee.

If convicted, Follieri could face up to nine years in prison.

Brodsky stated that Follieri squandered between $2.5 million and $6 million of investor money.

Pitman ruled that Follieri must secure bail with $16 million in cash or property and will be subjected to home detention, except for legal meetings, medical treatment, or religious services.

According to the complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Manhattan, Follieri deceived a partner into investing millions of dollars in a real estate scheme focused on purchasing discounted properties from the Catholic Church in the United States.

The partner, a private equity firm in California, was not explicitly named in court documents.

However, a division of supermarket billionaire Ron Burkle's Yucaipa Cos. settled lawsuits against Follieri, accusing him of misusing over $1 million to fund an extravagant lifestyle.

Follieri has been charged with twelve counts of wire fraud conspiracy, wire fraud, and money laundering.

Flora Edwards, Follieri's lawyer, expressed her desire for a swift resolution to the case.

She described the bail package as one of the most stringent she had encountered.

Edwards assured Judge Pitman that her client posed no flight risk despite having access to significant funds and family residing in Italy.

Additionally, she highlighted that Follieri's mother was receiving medical treatment in a Manhattan hospital.

The FBI revealed that Follieri claimed to have been officially appointed by the Vatican to manage its financial affairs and even met the Pope in person in Rome.

Allegedly, he kept various ceremonial robes, including those worn by high-ranking clergymen, in his Manhattan office.

Two monsignors were reportedly hired by Follieri to accompany him during business dealings.

On one occasion, he allegedly requested that a monsignor change into a more senior clergyman's robe to create the false impression of his close ties to the Vatican.

The monsignors themselves are not facing any charges.

Prosecutors contend that Follieri's scheme unraveled when the principal investor demanded an audit of their partnership and an explanation for expenses unrelated to administrative overhead or business costs.

Earlier this month, the New York attorney general's office announced an investigation into the Follieri Foundation, which focuses on vaccinating children in underprivileged countries.

The foundation has failed to file the required U.S. tax disclosure forms for charitable organizations, as revealed by an AP review of records.

Anne Hathaway's publicist, Stephen Huvane, has previously emphasized that she is not involved in any investigations and is no longer associated with the Follieri Foundation.