Director Convicted for $11 Million Netflix Scam
Hollywood director Carl Erik Rinsch has been convicted of a major fraud scheme involving $11 million from Netflix. A jury in New York found him guilty of multiple charges, including fraud and money laundering.
Details of the Fraud Case
Rinsch, known for his work on the film 47 Ronin, received the funds to produce a sci-fi series titled White Horse, later renamed Conquest. The narrative centered around an inventor creating a humanlike species known as the Organic Intelligent, in a story that ultimately leads to chaos.
Instead of investing the money into the series, Rinsch diverted the funds for personal gain. Prosecutors claim he mismanaged the investment, losing over half of the initial funding in a matter of weeks.
Luxury Purchases and Investments
The misuse of funds included extravagant expenditures on luxury items. Rinsch’s spending habits included:
- Over $3.3 million on furniture, antiques, and mattresses
- $387,000 on a luxury Swiss watch
- At least $2.4 million on five Rolls-Royce cars and a red Ferrari
Additionally, he invested in cryptocurrency, further complicating his financial situation.
Upcoming Sentencing
Rinsch is scheduled for sentencing on April 17, 2026. This case serves as a significant example of fraud within the entertainment industry, highlighting the severe repercussions of financial misconduct.
