Director Carl Rinsch Found Guilty of Defrauding Netflix
Director Carl Rinsch was convicted Thursday on charges of defrauding Netflix out of $11 million during production of the never-completed sci-fi series “White Horse.” Rinsch faces the threat of many years in prison when he is sentenced on charges of wire fraud, money laundering, and making illegal transactions.
Rinsch, 48, took the stand in his own defense, claiming the dispute was a misunderstanding. He argued that he completed principal photography for the first season of the show and needed the money for pre-production on Season 2. However, Netflix never ordered a second season and stated that the first season was far from complete.
Prosecutors alleged that Rinsch concealed his motives for obtaining the money and went on a lavish spending spree. Several Netflix executives testified during the trial, presenting bank records and emails showing Rinsch quickly funneled the money into a brokerage account.
During the trial, it was revealed that Rinsch made risky investments in pharmaceutical companies and indulged in luxury purchases like cars and furniture. His defense lawyer argued that these purchases were irrelevant to the case.
The defense initially planned to argue that Rinsch was in a “state of psychosis” exacerbated by prescription drugs and the stress of the pandemic. However, this defense was not raised during the trial. Rinsch maintained that his purchases were legitimate and necessary for the show.
Prosecutors urged the jury not to believe Rinsch’s claims, accusing him of lying and attempting to deceive both Netflix and the jury.
The verdict in this high-profile case serves as a reminder of the consequences of financial fraud in the entertainment industry. Rinsch’s sentencing will determine the extent of his punishment for defrauding a major streaming service.
