New York - Movie star Anne Hathaway's former boyfriend was sentenced to four and a half years in jail Thursday after pleading guilt to fraud charges.

Raffaello Follieri, 30, had been accused of cheating investors by claiming he had Vatican connections, which allowed him to buy Catholic Church property at a discount.

He pleaded guilty last month to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering, and had agreed to forfeit 2.4 million dollars.

Prosecutors said he used the money he bilked from investors to fund a lifestyle suitable for the boyfriend of one of Hollywood's biggest stars - travelling on private planes, enjoying expensive hotels and dinners and renting yachts. He also rented an exclusive Manhattan apartment for 37,000 dollars a month. (dpa)