Keanu Reeves Faces Backlash for Defending Director

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 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  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 star has received some backlash for his support of a criminal.

'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.