Hollywood filmmaker Carl Rinsch has been sentenced to two and a half years in federal prison after being convicted of defrauding Netflix out of $11 million intended for an unfinished science fiction television series.
Rinsch, best known for directing the 2013 film 47 Ronin, was sentenced in New York after a jury found him guilty in December on wire fraud and related charges connected to the failed production of a Netflix series titled “White Horse.”
According to prosecutors, Netflix initially invested approximately $44 million in the project between 2018 and 2019 before providing an additional $11 million in 2020 after Rinsch claimed he needed more funding to complete production. Instead of using the money to finish the series, prosecutors said he transferred the funds into personal accounts and spent them on luxury items and risky investments.
Court records revealed that Rinsch lost nearly half of the additional funding through unsuccessful investments before turning to cryptocurrency trading, where he later generated profits that were allegedly deposited into his personal accounts.
Prosecutors detailed a lavish spending spree that included the purchase of five Rolls-Royce vehicles, a Ferrari, luxury watches, designer clothing, expensive bedding, and two mattresses reportedly costing more than $638,000. Authorities also said he used part of the funds to settle approximately $1.8 million in credit card debt.
During sentencing, Rinsch apologized to the court and acknowledged that his actions caused harm. He argued that mental health challenges and medication-related issues contributed to his behavior, saying he has since sought treatment and support.
Federal prosecutors had sought a five-year prison sentence, describing the filmmaker’s actions as driven by greed despite his privileged background, successful career, and industry connections.
Among those urging leniency was actor Keanu Reeves, who starred in “47 Ronin.” In a letter submitted to the court, Reeves praised Rinsch’s creativity and character while acknowledging that the director sometimes struggled with managing the scale of his projects. He asked the court to balance justice with mercy.
U.S. District Judge Jed S. Rakoff said that while mental health issues may explain some aspects of Rinsch’s conduct, they did not excuse what the court viewed as deliberate deception in obtaining and concealing Netflix funds.
In addition to his prison sentence, Rinsch has been ordered to pay approximately $11 million in restitution. He is scheduled to report to prison in September and plans to appeal the conviction.