Keanu Reeves penned a moving letter to a federal judge pleading for leniency for his director friend, who was convicted of swindling Netflix to the tune of $11 million.
However, fans have voiced their deep disappointment with him for supporting the “crook” by requesting for leniency.
Keanu Reeves has a reputation in Hollywood for being one of the “nicest guys” and has carried out several charitable endeavors, including donating a huge chunk of his salary to cancer research.
Keanu Reeves’ Director Pal Was Convicted Of Fraud
Reeves has garnered the ire of fans after he wrote a letter to a federal Judge pleading for justice to be tempered with mercy in the case of Carl Rinsch, who was convicted of swindling Netflix out of $11 million.
According to Variety, Rinsch was convicted in December on federal charges, including wire fraud and money laundering.
This happened after prosecutors proved that he embezzled funds meant for a series called “White Horse” to fund a lavish lifestyle.
He’s alleged to have lost several million in reckless crypto investment before spending the rest on a lavish shopping spree, including several luxury cars, high-end artwork, and a very costly mattress.
The Movie Star Showed Support For His Convicted Pal In A Letter To The Judge
In a character reference letter submitted to U.S. District Judge Jed Rakoff ahead of Rinsch’s sentencing, Reeves asked that any criminal punishment be “tempered with measures of leniency and mercy,” even though justice must prevail.
According to TMZ, he claimed to have known Rinsch for about 15 years now, revealing that he even directed him in the 2011 film “47 Ronin.”
It appears they grew very close after then, as the “John Wick” star stated that he went to Rinsch’s 2014 wedding in Uruguay and often stops by in his L.A. home to “catch up and discuss art.”
It was during one of those meetings that the director showed Reeves the unfinished version of “White Horse,” adding that he thought the project was “a superb and visionary work of art,” although it was unfinished.
Reeves then described Rinsch as an “exceptional artist,” who he has seen bring “creative inspiration” to others through his creativity and vision. He admitted that he wasn’t writing in the capacity of a therapist or psychologist, but as an “artistic peer” of Rinsch.
“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,” Reeves wrote. “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.”
Fans Slam Keanu Reeves Over The Letter
Despite Reeves’ good intentions, many fans slammed him for the move, with some even suggesting that his “nice guy” Hollywood image was all a PR front.
“Bad look from a great actor. Fraud and embezzlement are real crimes,” an X user wrote, while another said, “Why is he asking leniency for a crook?”
“Try to spell the word ETHICS, Reeves!” one critic wrote. “This showing how much he doesn’t care about ethics, integrity, and professionalism. This guy is a total fraud! 40 years of a good crafted image based a PR narrative! Think about retirement, Reeves.”
Someone else added, “Keanu asking for leniency for Rinsch while Netflix licks its wounds over the $11m hole feels like asking the fox to guard the henhouse.”
The Actor Was Defended By Some Fans After His Controversial Move
Despite the controversy online, others defended Reeves for his “loyalty” to his friend.
One X user said, “He didn’t get the money, he was just asking for the judge to not give the dude 20 years in jail. 5 to 8 years is better based on a letter of recommendation.”
They added, “You may one day need a similar favor for bad decisions you’ve made. No one [is] perfect. He didn’t ask for NO punishment for him.”
“Everything Keanu Reeves does seems to give me greater cause to admire him,” another person noted,
Keanu Reeves’ Pal’s Lawyers Are Asking For Less Punishment
Rinsch is due to be sentenced on June 29, with federal prosecutors expected to release their sentencing recommendation by June 16, per Variety.
He could be slapped with a sentence of 8-10 years in prison for the crime based on defense calculations, but his lawyers are insisting on a sentence well below that because he’s a first-time offender and has already suffered “the likely end of his career.”
According to the news outlet, Rakoff is expected to order Rinsch to pay $11 million in restitution to Netflix, but the streaming giant is playing hardball, demanding full restitution alongside $4.4 million in attorneys’ fees, which it incurred throughout the case.
However, Rinsch’s lawyer argues that the attorney’s fee demand is way too much, as the director has been deemed “indigent” and was represented by counsel appointed by the court.
