Movie Director Sentenced to Prison over Unfinished Netflix Show
The director diverted an $11 million Netflix payment into luxury spending and risky trades, and a judge ordered him to repay nearly the full amount.
- Filmmaker Carl Rinsch received a 30-month prison sentence on Monday for wire fraud involving an $11 million scheme against Netflix's abandoned science fiction project 'White Horse,' with full restitution ordered.
- Prosecutors said Rinsch diverted funds from the $44 million Netflix paid for development between 2018 and 2019. Instead of completing the series, he spent money on five Rolls-Royces, a Ferrari, and over $652,000 in luxury watches and designer clothing.
- Actor Keanu Reeves, who starred in Rinsch's 2013 film '47 Ronin,' urged the court to balance justice with compassion in a sentencing letter. Prosecutor David Markewitz argued Rinsch acted out of 'naked greed,' seeking a five-year sentence.
- District Judge Jed Rakoff acknowledged mental health difficulties but ruled they did not excuse the fraud, stating struggles 'may explain some of the excesses' but not the deliberate deception. Defence lawyer Daniel McGuinness confirmed Rinsch intends to appeal.
- Rinsch is scheduled to report to prison in September, closing a chapter on one of Hollywood's most costly unfinished productions. Netflix declined to comment, leaving the streaming giant with no completed project after years of development and tens of millions spent.
23 Articles
23 Articles
On Monday, June 29, federal judge Jed Rakoff handed down a prison sentence to Carl Rinsch for defrauding Netflix with about $11 million.The director of “White Horse” diverted funds for the implementation of the series to invest in cryptocurrencies and make luxury purchases, reasons why he did not finish the platform project.According to Rinsch's defense, the director faced mental health problems, an aspect that the judge took into account for se…
The actor, who worked with the filmmaker in '47 Ronin: The Legend of the samurai' asked the judge for mercy and alleged mental health problems
Director Carl Rinsch Gets 2.5 years for Defrauding Netflix of £9.2M, Luxury First Over 'White Horse' Film
A Hollywood director once entrusted with tens of millions of dollars to create Netflix's next science fiction hit will instead spend the next two and a half years behind bars. Carl Rinsch was sentenced after a federal court found he diverted millions intended for an unfinished series into luxury purchases, failed investments and personal indulgence. Rinsch, 48, received a 30-month prison sentence on Monday after being convicted in December of wi…
Carl Rinsch sentenced to prison for defrauding Netflix of $11 million
Hollywood screenwriter and director Carl Rinsch was sentenced on Monday to two and a half years in prison after being found guilty of defrauding Netflix. Rinsch took $11 million from the streaming platform for a science fiction series that was never completed. The director, best known for the 2013 film 47 Ronin, was convicted in December of federal wire fraud and other charges. According to prosecutors, Rinsch told Netflix he needed an additiona…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 73% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
