Anne Hathaway’s ex Raffaello Follieri sentenced to 4 1/2 years in prison

Anne Hathaway’s former love Raffaello Follieri was sentenced in Manhattan federal court today (Thursday) to 4½ years in prison. Follieri and Hathaway, dated for four years but split in June just before his arrest, which raised a lot of eyebrows.

In papers filed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Follieri was accused of lying to investors by claiming to be the CFO of the Vatican and using swindled funds for a trip to the Dominican Republic over New Year’s 2005-06 with his “then girlfriend” (Hathaway) and another couple. According to the complaint, Follieri also used the funds for his $37,000-a month-apartment rent, medical bills for himself and his “then girlfriend,” as well as for orthodontist bills for his father. Investors handed over millions to his New York-based Follieri Group, including cash for worthless engineering reports, imaginary consultancy services and a non-existent office in Europe. Follieri allegedly siphoned off more than $2 million from the scam to fund a lavish lifestyle for his unwitting celebrity lover.

Raffaello pleaded guilty in September to 14 counts of wire fraud, money laundering and conspiracy. At the request of his attorney, Flora Edwards, the Italian-born Follieri, 30, is likely to be imprisoned either at Fort Dix, N.J., or in Otisville, N.Y. The bureau of prisons will decide the level of security under which he’ll be placed. His next hearing is scheduled for Dec. 12. While there is to be no fine, Follieri was slapped with a $1,400 special assessment to be paid to the United States. In addition, he will also receive three years of supervised release.

Through an interpreter, Follieri delivered a statement, in which he said, “The most important thing I want the court to know is I was not raised with bad values. … I started off with good intentions, determined to run an honorable business and make everyone proud of me.”

But, he admitted, “What I did was wrong and there is no point in making excuses. … I will never be able to wash away the shame. … I just hope that someday those who have been hurt by my actions will forgive me.”

Follieri, who conceivably could have faced up to 265 years in prison, had agreed not to appeal a sentence less than 63 months (5 years +) in prison. So basically he can’t appeal the 4.5 year sentence handed down. Too many probably have suffered to feel sorry for Raffaello. But what a waste.

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