About
Italian conman, entrepreneur, real-estate developer, investor, and Instagram personality known for the media attention gained from his attempts to broker deals involving the Catholic Church's U.S. property portfolio, his ties with Hollywood and Washington power circles, and ultimately his prosecution and imprisonment for fraud and money-laundering in the United States.
Before Fame
He moved to the United States to pursue real-estate investment opportunities. His career began in the early 2000s when he presented himself as someone who could help Catholic dioceses in the U.S. monetize under-utilized properties. He was living in Manhattan's Trump Tower, hosting parties, traveling by private jet, and mingling with high-profile figures by his late 20s. He was arrested in 2008 and pleaded guilty to 14 counts of wire fraud, money-laundering, and conspiracy in September 2008. He was deported back to Italy in May 2012 after completing his prison sentence in the U.S.
Trivia
He became known as the "Vati-Con" due to his alleged Vatican connections and financial scams involving the Catholic church.
Family Life
He was born and raised in San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy. His father Pasquale Follieri was involved in Italian business. He dated Anne Hathaway from around 2004 to 2008.
Associated With
He claimed to have connections to Bill Clinton's inner circle to help lend him credibility in investor circles.
