Hollywood director Carl Rinsch has been sentenced to 30 months in prison for defrauding Netflix of $11 million.

The 48-year-old director, known for sci-fi and action films, received a sentence significantly shorter than the prosecution's recommendation, a decision reportedly influenced by character testimonies, including one from actor Keanu Reeves.

Judge Jed Rakoff of the Federal District Court in Manhattan also mandated that Rinsch repay the $11 million to Netflix, participate in an outpatient mental health program, and stop using narcotics.

This development is significant as it highlights the legal repercussions faced by individuals accused of financial misconduct within the entertainment industry, even when supported by high-profile figures.

Keanu Reeves, who met Rinsch on the set of the 2013 film "47 Ronin," submitted a letter defending his friend.

In his testimony, Reeves suggested that Rinsch's mental health was compromised by medication misuse and other issues, which he believed amplified acts of "self-sabotage and grandiosity." Reeves, an investor and producer on Rinsch's canceled Netflix show, stated he did not know the specifics of the case but hoped for leniency and mercy in the sentencing.

Prosecutors detailed that Netflix initially paid Rinsch approximately $44 million for a sci-fi series.

An additional $11 million was later provided after Rinsch claimed he needed more funding.

However, prosecutors alleged that Rinsch diverted a portion of this money into a personal brokerage account, where he lost about half of the $11 million through failed investments within a few months.

Netflix canceled the show's development in early 2021 due to Rinsch's increasingly erratic behavior.

Following the cancellation, Rinsch reportedly embarked on a spending spree, residing in five-star hotels in California and Spain, purchasing five Rolls-Royces, a Ferrari, and spending lavishly on luxury items.

Court records indicate he spent around $1 million on mattresses and linens, $652,000 on watches and clothes, and used $1.8 million to pay off credit card debt.

Rinsch was arrested in March 2025 on charges including wire fraud and money laundering.