Anne Hathaway's FBI help

Jun 30, 2008, 12:05 GMT

06/16/2008 - Anne Hathaway - "Get Smart" World Premiere - Arrivals - Westwood Village Theater - Westwood, CA, USA © David Gabber / PR Photos

Anne Hathaway has been accused of reporting ex-boyfriend Raffaello Follieri to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

The 'Get Smart' actress - who split from Follieri, her partner of four years, just days before his arrest - allegedly provided information about the 29-year-old Italian businessman to the Bureau, resulting in him being arrested and charged for duping investors in a $6 million real estate scam.

A friend of Follieri speculated to the New York Daily News newspaper: "It makes sense. Hathaway is referred to as his former girlfriend in the FBI indictment even though her spokesman never confirmed they broke up.

"I think that, in return for her cooperation, the feds held off on arresting Follieri until Hathaway was out of the country."

Follieri - who faces 20 years in prison if found guilty on charges of wire-fraud and money-laundering - is currently held in jail awaiting bail of $21 million.

Meanwhile, another friend of Follieri is pleading with Hathaway to come and collect the former couple's chocolate Labrador Esmerelda.

The dog is currently being kept in Follieri's New York apartment and is being looked after by his mother who is suffering from cancer.

The friend said: "Could Anne Hathaway please come get her dog? I feel bad for the dog. She's a beautiful, sweet pet who probably greeted the FBI agents with her tail wagging."