Throughout the 2009 awards season, I was somewhat amazed at how well Anne Hathaway had rebounded after her disastrous relationship with her con artist, fraud and thief boyfriend Raffaello Follieri. Not only was she nominated for every major award last year, but after Follieri was charged and put in jail, no one really asked Anne about it. Anne certainly behaved with class during the situation, and at some point last year, she began dating a very low-key dude named Adam Shulman. Did I say “low-key”? I meant “art thief”. Yes, Anne’s new boyfriend might be as much of a criminal as Follieri. Except not really – Shulman is just being accused of stealing a part of an outdoor mural in NYC, not of bilking millions of dollars from some of the most influential people in the world. Here’s more:

Can’t Anne Hathaway — one of Hollywood’s most angelic and seemingly nice young actresses — just find a guy without some sort of criminal implications?

The ‘Alice in Wonderland’ starlet is stuck in the middle of more headlines thanks to a significant other, as her new boyfriend Adam Shulman allegedly took off with part of a painted mural. Unfortunately for Shulman, someone else claims the mural is his property, and is going to press charges unless it’s returned.

According to the New York Post, H&H Builders president Ken Hart claims the artwork painted by infamous New York City street artist Mr. Brainwash was taken from him by Mr. Shulman, but in true forgive-and-forget fashion, promises that “if he brings me back the art, it’s over … But if he doesn’t, I’m going to the police to report it stolen!”

For Hathaway, this must be a blatant reminder of her romantic woes past. She previously was in a long-term relationship with Raffaello Follieri, who is currently serving jail time after he pled guilty to fraud charges. Follieri was sentenced to 4 1/2 years in prison for bilking investors out of nearly $4 million in a real estate scam.

Just how did he scam all that money? Follieri told his investors that because he had ties to the Vatican, he could easily secure church property for well below market value.

Hathaway has kept mostly mum about Follieri since splitting with him months before his sentencing. She did reference him in an Independent interview, saying: “The worst thing that happens to you can be the best thing for you, if you don’t let it get the best of you.”

She even joked about her dating record while on ‘The Late Show With David Letterman.’ After being grilled by Dave about Follieri, Hathaway joked: “You do have to give me credit because as far as relationships crashing and burning goes, c’mon, I did pretty great. I mean, scorched that earth!”

Here’s wishing Miss Hathaway a happy and drama free future with whoever her man of choice is.

[From PopEater]

It sounds more like a prank or a shenanigan rather than an art heist. Although if it was taken from private property, I guess Adam should have known better? Anyway, Shulman should return the mural and all will be forgiven. Even if he doesn’t, he’s still got a way to go before he’s a Follieri-type con artist/criminal mastermind.