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| Developer 'used Vatican in scam' | Developer 'used Vatican in scam' |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| An Italian-born businessman invented connections with the Vatican to dupe investors out of millions of dollars, New York authorities have alleged. | An Italian-born businessman invented connections with the Vatican to dupe investors out of millions of dollars, New York authorities have alleged. |
| Raffaello Follieri, 29, told potential investors he could buy land owned by the Catholic Church in the US at bargain prices, prosecutors say. | Raffaello Follieri, 29, told potential investors he could buy land owned by the Catholic Church in the US at bargain prices, prosecutors say. |
| But instead he used their money to fund a lavish lifestyle. | But instead he used their money to fund a lavish lifestyle. |
| Mr Follieri, who gained a high profile when he was the long-term partner of actress Anne Hathaway, is due in court. | |
| He faces fraud and money-laundering charges. His lawyers have not yet issued a statement. | He faces fraud and money-laundering charges. His lawyers have not yet issued a statement. |
| According to papers lodged in Manhattan's District Court, the businessman told potential clients that the Vatican had formally appointed him to manage its financial affairs. | According to papers lodged in Manhattan's District Court, the businessman told potential clients that the Vatican had formally appointed him to manage its financial affairs. |
| To bolster his claims he kept various ceremonial robes at his office in New York, including those of senior clergymen, according to witnesses cited by the prosecution. | To bolster his claims he kept various ceremonial robes at his office in New York, including those of senior clergymen, according to witnesses cited by the prosecution. |
| He also allegedly hired two clergymen to help with his business, and asked one clergyman to dress up in the vestments of a more senior rank. | He also allegedly hired two clergymen to help with his business, and asked one clergyman to dress up in the vestments of a more senior rank. |
| From 2005 to 2007 he received millions of dollars from an unnamed private equity firm, which he used to fund an upmarket Manhattan flat and charter private jets. | From 2005 to 2007 he received millions of dollars from an unnamed private equity firm, which he used to fund an upmarket Manhattan flat and charter private jets. |
| Mr Follieri has been charged with several counts of fraud and money laundering. | Mr Follieri has been charged with several counts of fraud and money laundering. |