Anne Hathaway's ex-beau pleads guilty to scam charges

London, Sept 12 : Actress Anne Hathaway's ex-boyfriend has pleaded guilty to scam charges, in which he impersonated as a Vatican official and cheated wealthy investors out of millions of dollars.

In fact, one of the targets of Italian businessman Raffaello Follieri, 30, was a friend of former US President Bill Clinton.

Follieri dated the 'The Devil Wears Prada' star for four years, and is now headed to prison after confessing to having committed wire frauds, money laundering and conspiracy during a hearing in New York.

However, Hathaway dumped the entrepreneur shortly before his June arrest by the FBI.

He entered his plea as part of a deal with prosecutors to avoid a trial and get a lighter sentence. He agreed not to appeal any prison term of up to five years and three months.

"I knew what I was doing was wrong," Telegraph quoted Follieri, as telling the Manhattan judge.

The Italian was accused of posing as the Vatican's representative to the US and promising investors big discounts on property belonging to the Roman Catholic church. The prosecutors said that instead of spending investors' money on church property, Follieri transferred all the funds to personal bank accounts.

He is accused of using this money to fund "a lavish lifestyle" with his celebrity girlfriend involving private jets and an opulent Manhattan penthouse.

However, the lawyers have not laid any charges against Hathaway.

Follieri has now admitted misusing at least 2.4 million dollars of investors' money.

A forfeiture order requires him to give back the money in cash as well as jewellery, watches and other valuables recovered from an "individual".

ANI