Hollywood director Carl Rinsch has been indicted on serious charges, including fraud and money laundering. He is accused of defrauding Netflix out of $11 million for a science-fiction series that he never completed. Rinsch, known for directing the 2013 film “47 Ronin,” was arrested in West Hollywood on Tuesday and appeared in court shortly after. However, he has not yet entered a plea.
The indictment outlines several counts against him: two for money laundering, one for wire fraud, and four for engaging in monetary transactions related to illegal activity. According to the charges, Rinsch misused funds from Netflix, which were intended for a show originally titled “White Horse,” later renamed “Conquest.” Instead of directing the series, he allegedly made risky investments and spent the money on luxury items, including stays at the Four Seasons hotel, cryptocurrency, and even hiring lawyers to sue Netflix.
The proposed show was meant to explore the lives of super-intelligent clones in a Brazilian city, where they developed advanced technology and faced conflicts with humans and each other. Rinsch and Netflix reportedly struck a deal for the series around 2018, with Netflix paying nearly $44 million to his production company between 2018 and 2019.
After requesting an additional $11 million to finish the project, Rinsch is said to have quickly transferred most of that money to his brokerage account. Unfortunately, he lost over half of it within two months due to risky stock market investments. Meanwhile, he was telling Netflix that the show was progressing well.
The indictment also claims that Rinsch used some of the funds to purchase five Rolls-Royces and a Ferrari, totaling over $2.4 million, along with luxury clothing, watches, and bedding. FBI Assistant Director Leslie Backschies stated that the agency will continue to pursue individuals who defraud businesses.
If found guilty, Rinsch could face significant prison time. This case highlights the ongoing issues of fraud in the entertainment industry and the importance of accountability for those in creative positions.