Director Carl Rinsch Convicted of Defrauding Netflix for $11 Million

Director Carl Rinsch has been convicted of defrauding Netflix out of $11 million. The conviction was announced on Thursday during a trial focused on the production of the unfinished sci-fi series “White Horse.” Rinsch is facing a lengthy prison sentence, with the court set to deliver its ruling on April 17.

Conviction Details

Rinsch, aged 48, took the stand in his defense, asserting that financial troubles stemmed from a misunderstanding. He claimed that he completed primary filming for the series and sought funds for the second season. However, Netflix clarified that it never ordered a second season and stated that the first season was incomplete.

Prosecution’s Case

• Prosecutors accused Rinsch of concealing his intent to use the funds for personal expenses.
• They presented evidence of Rinsch’s extravagant spending, which included luxury cars and gambling.
• Emails and bank statements depicted a rapid transfer of Netflix’s funds to a brokerage account.

As the COVID pandemic began to surface globally, Rinsch allegedly invested millions in Gilead, a pharmaceutical company, hoping it would find a cure for the disease. However, these investments resulted in significant losses for him.

Defense Arguments

Rinsch’s defense attorney, Daniel McGuinness, argued that the luxury purchases were irrelevant to the case. He claimed that the prosecution was attempting to mislead the jury, emphasizing that his client’s intentions were not fraudulent. McGuinness also questioned the reliability of testimony provided by Cindy Holland, Netflix’s then-head of original content.

Mental Health Considerations

In earlier court filings, the defense indicated plans to introduce a mental health argument, suggesting Rinsch experienced “a state of psychosis.” This defense, however, was not pursued during the trial. Instead, Rinsch insisted his expenditures were justified, claiming items like Rolls-Royces were necessary for the series.

Final Remarks from Prosecutors

Prosecutors concluded their arguments by asserting Rinsch had engaged in deceitful practices. They urged the jury to see through his claims and emphasized that the evidence contradicted Rinsch’s narrative. The trial highlighted the complexities surrounding Rinsch’s alleged fraud against Netflix, ultimately leading to his conviction on multiple charges.