The charge stems from the government's investigation of private detective Anthony Pellicano, who is among six people scheduled to be tried for alleged wiretapping, conspiracy, racketeering and other alleged crimes in February.

U.S. District Judge Dale S. Fischer on Monday sentenced McTiernan to four months in jail for lying to the FBI about hiring Pellicano, then showing a lack of remorse for doing so.

Fischer also denied the director’s request to withdraw his guilty plea.

McTiernan, who directed "Die Hard" and "Predator," is the first major Hollywood player to be sentenced in the high-profile case.

McTiernan last year admitted he paid Pellicano $50,000 to spy on producer Charles Roven after their collaboration on the 2002 film flop "Rollerball."

The director also confessed he misled an FBI agent who asked him about Pellicano.

McTiernan was ordered to surrender his passport and turn himself in to authorities by Jan. 15 to begin his sentence, the Times said.