A Hollywood writer-director has been sentenced to prison after being convicted of defrauding Netflix out of $11 million tied to an unfinished science-fiction series.
Carl Erik Rinsch, 48 and best known for the 2013 film “47 Ronin,” was sentenced Monday to 2 1/2 years in prison. The court also ordered supervised release, forfeitures totaling $11 million, and a fine. Prosecutors said the prison term was necessary to deter fraud, and Rinsch apologized in court and said he accepted responsibility.
Prosecutors said Netflix provided roughly $55 million for a show originally called “White Horse,” including $11 million after Rinsch told Netflix he needed the additional funds to finish production. Instead, prosecutors said Rinsch diverted money into a personal account, invested portions through failed ventures, and lost about half the $11 million within a short period.
The case focused on what prosecutors described as lavish spending that prosecutors said was fueled by the diverted Netflix money, including luxury purchases such as multiple high-end cars, watches, household items, and other luxury goods. During a one-week federal trial, Netflix executives testified about their involvement and the expectation that the project would deliver agreed content.
Rinsch’s supporters, including Keanu Reeves, asked the judge for leniency. Reeves said in a letter he did not know the case details but described Rinsch as capable of self-sabotage and asked that the sentence reflect mercy as well as justice.
Rinsch is scheduled to surrender to prison in September. Netflix declined to comment on the sentence
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