Hollywood director Carl Erik Rinsch jailed for defrauding Netflix out of $11m for unfinished show

A Hollywood director has been sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison after conning Netflix out of $11m (£8.3m) for an unfinished science fiction series.

Carl Erik Rinsch was convicted after diverting Netflix funds, intended to complete a show called White Horse, into a personal account and spending the money on luxury goods.

He used $2.4m to buy five Rolls Royces and a red Ferrari; around $3.3m on furniture and antiques including $638,000 on two mattresses; $387,000 on a Swiss watch; and $1.7m on credit card bills.

Rinsch also made a series of failed investments. He lost around half the money in a couple of months, and put the remaining funds into the cryptocurrency market, netting some profit, which he deposited into his bank account.

Netflix initially paid Rinsch about $44m for White Horse in 2018 and 2019, then provided another $11m in 2020 after he said he needed more money to wrap up production.

Following a one-week trial in New York in December, the 48-year-old was convicted in December of wire fraud, money laundering, and five counts of engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from specified unlawful activity.

Prosecutors said Rinsch - best known for the 2013 samurai fantasy film 47 Ronin starring Keanu Reeves - was motivated by "naked greed".

The filmmaker "had every possible advantage", including family money, an elite education, famous friends, and a high-flying career, prosecutor David Markewitz told the court.

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Rinsch's lawyers told the court his behaviour was fuelled by mental health struggles and medication problems, which he was now addressing.

"This process has forced me to confront things about my health, my judgement, and my life," Rinsch said.

He apologised for his actions, acknowledged "real harm was caused", and added: "I failed to recognise the danger of the state I was in."

Prosecutors argued Rinsch should serve five years in prison.

Supporters including Hollywood superstar Reeves had asked the court to show him leniency.

In a letter to the court ahead of Rinsch's sentencing on Monday, The Matrix actor said he did not know the details of the case, but added that the director brought "exceptional joy and warmth to the people around him" and "creative inspiration to others through his creativity and vision".

Reeves said he hoped the director's sentence "might be tempered with measures of leniency and mercy as well as justice".

US District Judge Jed Rakoff said Rinsch's mental health difficulties "may explain some of the excesses" but do not "detract from the court's conclusion that he was determined to lie to get substantial monies from Netflix" and "lie to cover it up".

Rinsch was ordered to surrender to prison in September.

Sky News has contacted Netflix for comment.

(c) Sky News 2026: Hollywood director Carl Erik Rinsch jailed for defrauding Netflix out of $11m for unfinished