Hollywood writer and director Carl Rinsch has been sentenced to two and a half years in prison after being convicted of defrauding Netflix of $11 million intended to complete an unfinished science fiction series.
Rinsch, best known for directing the 2013 film 47 Ronin, was found guilty of wire fraud and other federal charges. Investigators said he convinced Netflix to release an additional $11 million to finish a project titled White Horse, but instead transferred the money into a personal account and spent large amounts on luxury items.
Court records revealed that the purchases included expensive cars, designer watches, clothing, household goods and more than $638,000 on two mattresses.
During his sentencing, the 48-year-old apologized for his actions and said mental health struggles and medication issues had affected his judgment at the time.
He told the court that he has since begun receiving treatment and accepted responsibility for the harm caused.Prosecutors argued that Rinsch acted out of greed and pointed out that he had already enjoyed significant career opportunities and financial advantages.
In addition to his prison sentence, he has been ordered to repay approximately $11 million in restitution.
Ahead of the sentencing, actor Keanu Reeves submitted a letter asking the court to show mercy. While acknowledging that Rinsch could sometimes undermine himself by taking projects beyond their original scope, Reeves described him as a creative individual who brought inspiration and warmth to those around him.
Netflix had originally paid Rinsch about $44 million for the White Horse project before approving an additional $11 million in 2020 after he claimed more funding was needed to complete production. The series was never finished.
