Keanu Reeves has received backlash for writing a gushing defense of 'crook' director Carl Rinsch ahead of his sentencing despite admitting he did 'not know the details of his case' as he was found guilty of swindling Netflix out of $11 million for luxury cars, watches, and mattresses. The 61-year-old acting legend - who was directed by Rinsch, 50, in 2013 action flick 47 Ronin - wrote a letter on May 1 which was submitted this week by Rinsch's legal team ahead of his June 29 sentencing.In December, Rinsch was convicted of defrauding Netflix out of $11 million, spending the funds on cryptocurrency speculation and a lavish personal shopping spree.Now, Reeves has spoken out on his behalf in the legal letter which began: 'I am writing in support of Carl Rinsch in connection with his upcoming sentencing.'I do not know the details of this case. But based upon what I do know about Carl, I did want to take the opportunity to write on his behalf, in the hope that this sentence might be tempered with measures of leniency and mercy, as well as justice.'As a result, the John Wick star has received some backlash for his support of a criminal. Keanu Reeves has received backlash for writing a gushing defense of 'crook' director Carl Rinsch ahead of his sentencing despite admitting he did 'not know the details of his case' as he was found guilty of swindling Netflix out of $11 million for luxury cars, watches, and mattresses Rinsch directed the 2013 Keanu Reeves movie 47 Ronin (pictured on set of 47 Ronin in 2013)'Why is he asking for leniency for a crook?,' one X (formerly Twitter) user wrote while another said: 'Why should this swindler be showed any leniency for ripping off millions of dollars that could have gone towards any other passion project that actually would have delivered.'Daily Mail has reached out to Reeves's representatives and has yet to hear back.In the letter, Reeves recalled working together and growing a friendship after they 'stayed in touch' following production.He wrote: 'Over the years, I would periodically visit with Carl and his wife at their Los Angeles home and catch up and discuss life and art.'During one of these visits Carl showed me a project he was working on called "White Horse," which he was hoping to bring to market. In my opinion, Carl is an exceptional artist and "White Horse," in the form in which I saw it, was a superb and visionary work of art, although unfinished.' The A-list actor also gave his personal assessment of what could have gone wrong while noting that he is 'not a therapist or psychologist' but instead 'an artistic peer of Carl's and as a friend.'Reeves wrote: 'In my opinion, Carl can self-sabotage by amplifying the scale, scope and landscape of what had been negotiated, accordingly placing himself and his counterparties at odds.'I do not intend to share this as an excuse or diminishment of what he has been found to have done, but offer this solely as perhaps an insight into why.' Reeves (seen in 47 Ronin) has spoken out on his behalf in the legal letter which began: 'I am writing in support of Carl Rinsch in connection with his upcoming sentencing' He faced rare backlash on X for his letter of support Reeves concluded his letter by saying that his friend Rinsch brings joy to the people around him while also begging the judge for leniency. The actor wrote: 'I have seen him bring creative inspiration to others through his creativity and vision.'I have seen and been a part of wonderful artistic environments where exceptional work was done with him. I hope you are able to find leniency for this man.'To the extent you deem appropriate, I believe such leniency would be a healing act, to go along with the punishment he will live with. 'On Thursday, Dec. 11, federal prosecutors announced that Rinsch was found guilty for his role ‘in a fraudulent scheme’ involving a payment meant to finish his long-delayed sci-fi series White Horse. The funds were intended to cover production costs and ensure the completion of the project.According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, Rinsch spent the money ‘on personal expenses and luxury items, including at least $1.7 million on credit card bills; at least $3.3 million on furniture, antiques, and mattresses; at least $387,000 on a Swiss watch; and at least $2.4 million on five Rolls Royces and a red Ferrari.’He was convicted of one count of wire fraud and one count of money laundering — each carrying a maximum 20-year sentence — and five counts of engaging in monetary transactions with criminally derived property, each carrying a maximum 10-year penalty. In December, Rinsch was convicted of defrauding Netflix out of $11 million, spending the funds on cryptocurrency speculation and a lavish personal shopping spree; (pictured 2015)‘Today’s conviction shows that when someone steals from investors, we will follow the money and hold them accountable,’ U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton said, referring to Rinsch’s ‘speculative stock options and crypto transactions.’ Rinsch was represented by a mix of private attorneys and public defenders.Prosecutors stated he ‘knowingly having devised and intending to devise a scheme and artifice to defraud, and for obtaining money and property by means of false and fraudulent pretenses.’During the trial, Rinsch testified on his own behalf, claiming that the Netflix funds — in addition to tens of millions he had previously received for the unfinished White Horse/Conquest series — were meant to reimburse his own investment in the project.He said Keanu Reeves’ involvement in 47 Ronin had helped secure Netflix backing and that he intended to use existing footage to push for a second season.Former Netflix executives Cindy Holland — now at Paramount — and Peter Friedlander also testified, explaining the company’s expectations for the series. The jury ultimately rejected Rinsch’s defense.Rinsch was charged ‘with one count of wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; one count of money laundering, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; and five counts of engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from specified unlawful activity, each of which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison,’ according to the SDNY indictment.After the Department of Justice indictment in March, Rinsch was released on a $100,000 bond. On Thursday, Dec. 11, federal prosecutors announced that Rinsch was found guilty for his role ‘in a fraudulent scheme’ involving a payment meant to finish his long-delayed sci-fi series White Horse; (pictured 2013) According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, Rinsch spent the money ‘on personal expenses and luxury items, including at least $1.7 million on credit card bills; at least $3.3 million on furniture, antiques, and mattresses; at least $387,000 on a Swiss watch; and at least $2.4 million on five Rolls Royces and a red Ferrari.'; (pictured on the set of 47 Ronin in 2013)He is also contesting an arbitration ruling requiring him to repay Netflix for the money spent on cars, stock investments, food deliveries, and other personal expenses. Netflix declined to comment on the verdict.Court documents show Holland acquired White Horse — later renamed Conquest — from Amazon in 2018 for over $61 million. Rinsch received roughly $44 million of that budget while retaining final-cut authority. In 2020, he requested an additional $11 million to complete the series.'The entirety of those funds was to be spent on the completion of White Horse,' prosecutors said. However, 'within days, Rinsch began transferring the funds he received through a number of different bank accounts before consolidating them in a personal brokerage account.''Rinsch then used those funds to make a number of personal and speculative purchases of securities,' officials added. 'His trading was unsuccessful, and in less than two months after receiving $11 million from Streaming Company-1, RINSCH had lost more than half of those funds.'By 2021, with only a few teaser clips produced, Netflix canceled the project, recording a loss of more than $55 million. In 2024, the streamer won a $12 million arbitration ruling against Rinsch after he claimed the company owed him $14 million. Court proceedings showed he has yet to repay any of the funds.