Hathaway Ex Looks for Leniency

Raffaello Follieri seeks a reduced sentence in fraud case in wake of guilty plea

Anne Hathaway's ex is hoping the Manhattan District Court is a little more forgiving than his former love.

Raffaello Follieri is looking for leniency in his forthcoming sentence, seeking no more than three years in prison for his litany of liturgic offenses, rather than the maximum five years and three months behind bars that were recommended as a result of his plea deal last month. (View the sentencing request)

Follieri's attorney, Flora Edwards, said her client had only the best of intentions when he lied to prospective investors about his nonexistent ties to the Vatican, among other misdeeds. Follieri, she claimed, simply "became intoxicated with it all" after growing accustomed to the luxury lifestyle.

"Unfortunately, he lacked the resources to maintain the opulent lifestyle of his new friends," she wrote in her motion Tuesday. "Even more unfortunately, he had almost unfettered access to hundreds of thousands of dollars with few controls on his spending ability, until it was too late."

Follieri pleaded guilty to 14 federal counts of wire fraud, money laundering and conspiracy. He has been behind bars since his June bust owing to his inability to post the requisite $21 million bail, and also faces deportation.

The 30-year-old's sentencing hearing has been set for Oct. 23.