Kiefer Sutherland is Caught in $900K Cattle Con

Kiefer Sutherland may play Jack Bauer, the toughest man on TV, but it real life the ranch-loving former rodeo star fell victim to a cattle scam worth nearly $900,000.

According to court documents the 24 star sunk $896,000 into some prime beef as part of a ranching investment scheme only to find the deal was pure bull, reports Popeater.com.

Michael Wayne Carr, a competitive steer-roping promoter and cattle manager, convinced clients to invest in Mexican cattle, under the proviso that they'd be sold in the US for a huge profit.

However, Carr is alleged to have taken the money but he failed to actually buy the beasts.

Stephen Maier, the Deputy District Attorney in San Joaquin County, Calif. — where the case is being prosecuted — says, "Mr. Sutherland has been very friendly and helpful with our investigation ... I'm sure he's happy someone's getting to the bottom of this."

Carr faces the possibility of up to 12 felony charges, including five counts of grand theft with "great taking enhancements," three forgery counts and embezzlement. He faces up to 18 years in prison if he's found guilty of all 12 possible charges.