DOCUMENT: Celebrity, Crime

Anne Hathaway's Ex Busted

Feds: Swindler used stolen millions for lavish lifestyle with actress

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Anne Hathaway's Ex Busted

JUNE 24--An Italian businessman who has been linked romantically to actress Anne Hathaway was charged today with operating a fraudulent real estate investment scheme in which he falsely claimed to have close connections to the Vatican.

According to a federal criminal complaint, Raffaello Follieri, 29, used money from a 'principal investor' to pay for a lavish lifestyle for him, Hathaway, and other friends and family. A copy of the U.S. District Court complaint filed today can be found here.

Follieri allegedly used the investment funds to pay for private jet travel, ritzy vacations, lavish meals, an opulent Manhattan duplex apartment, custom-made clothes, flowers, cosmetics, and even dog-walking services. Hathaway is not named in the complaint, though the document refers to money improperly spent by Follieri on his 'then girlfriend.'

While not accusing the 'Get Smart' star of any impropriety, the complaint, sworn out by an FBI agent, alleges that Follieri 'and others known and unknown misused the money for personal expenditures.'

According to news reports, Hathaway and Follieri recently broke up after four years together.

While Follieri's principal investor is not named in the complaint, it is clear that the moneyman was billionaire Ron Burkle, who provided Follieri with millions, believing that the funds would be used to purchase surplus properties from the Catholic Church. (18 pages)