Carl Rinsch, a Hollywood writer-director, was sentenced to two and a half years in prison on Monday for defrauding Netflix out of $11 million. Rinsch, known for the 2013 film 47 Ronin, was convicted in December of federal wire fraud for diverting funds intended for a sci-fi series.
Fraudulent Scheme Details
Prosecutors revealed that Rinsch requested the $11 million to complete a show titled White Horse. Instead of using the funds for production, he transferred the money to his personal account. Rinsch reportedly spent lavishly on luxury items, including $638,000 on two mattresses.
During the trial, supporters such as Keanu Reeves pleaded for leniency, but the court emphasized the severity of the crime. Rinsch's misappropriation of funds not only harmed Netflix but also undermined the trust placed in creative professionals.
