Carl Rinsch, a director and screenwriter, was sentenced to two and a half years in prison on Monday. He was found guilty of defrauding Netflix out of $11 million for a sci-fi series that was never completed, according to reports.
Rinsch, who gained recognition for his 2013 samurai fantasy film “47 Ronin,” was convicted in December 2025 on federal wire fraud and other charges.
The director allegedly informed Netflix representatives that he needed $11 million to finish the series “White Horse.” However, he transferred the funds to a personal account and spent extravagantly on luxury cars, watches, clothes, and household items, including $638,000 on two mattresses.
In court, Rinsch claimed that his actions were influenced by mental health issues and medication problems, which he is now addressing with the help of a new specialist. Among those advocating for leniency was Keanu Reeves, who vouched for him in court.
While his psychological issues were not detailed in court, Rinsch and his lawyers declined to discuss them further.
Prosecutors argued that Rinsch, who owes around $11 million in restitution, should serve a five-year prison sentence.
“Mr. Rinsch had every possible advantage,” including family wealth, elite education, famous friends, and a successful career, prosecutor David Markewitz stated in court. Markewitz argued that Rinsch’s motivation was “pure greed.”
U.S. Federal Judge Jed S. Rakoff noted that Rinsch’s mental health issues “might explain some of the excesses committed,” but they did not “negate the court’s conclusion that he was determined to deceive Netflix for substantial sums and to lie again to cover up his actions.”
Împotriva articolelor redacției noastre, persoanele nemulțumite pot formula Contestație în termen de 10 zile de la publicarea articolului, la judecătoria Orășenească nr. 1 München Bayern Deutschland, in conformitate cu Legea federală Germană. Considerăm că nu se pot formula acțiuni la instanțele din România deoarece nici o persoană care activează în trustul nostru nu poate fi extrasă de sub jurisdicția federală germană. Considerăm că redacția noastră nu răspunde în fața autorităților din România ci doar celor federale sau civile germane. deoarece legea română nu are efecte de extraneitate asupra redacției chiar dacă subiectul știrilor face obiectul unor evenimente sau persoane din România și sunt scrise în limba română. Limba română nu este izvor de extraneitate a legii.
