Director Carl Erik Rinsch Accused of Misusing $11 Million from Netflix: Faces Up to 90 Years in Prison:

Hollywood director Carl Erik Rinsch has been arrested and charged with multiple crimes after allegedly misusing $11 million provided by Netflix. The funds were intended to complete a sci-fi series titled White Horse, which never materialized. Instead, Rinsch reportedly spent the money on luxury goods, cryptocurrency, and personal investments.

Details of the Arrest and Charges

According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, Rinsch was arrested on March 18. He faces charges of wire fraud, money laundering, and five counts of engaging in unlawful monetary transactions. If convicted on all counts, the filmmaker could face up to 90 years in prison.

Netflix Paid $44 Million for Sci-Fi Series ‘White Horse’

Netflix initially agreed to finance White Horse, paying Carl Rinsch around $44 million for episodes already completed and to finish the project. Later, Rinsch requested additional funding, and Netflix transferred another $11 million to his production company between 2019 and 2020.

Funds Allegedly Diverted to Personal Use

Instead of using the extra funds for production, Rinsch allegedly moved the money into multiple bank accounts and then into a personal investment account. He began trading stocks, but reportedly lost over half of the $11 million within two months.

He later spent the remaining funds on cryptocurrency and luxury items, while claiming they were show-related expenses.

Luxury Purchases Detailed in Court Documents

The press release outlined some of Rinsch’s alleged purchases:

Over $3.7 million on furniture and antiques
Around $2.4 million on luxury cars, including five Rolls-Royces and a Ferrari
Over $600,000 on high-end watches and clothing
About $1.7 million on credit card payments
Over $1.4 million on legal fees related to divorce and lawsuits against Netflix

Netflix Ends Project Amid Strange Behavior

Netflix stopped funding White Horse in 2021, citing Rinsch’s erratic behavior. Despite the high budget and multiple cash infusions, the series was never completed. A judge later ruled in Netflix’s favor, concluding that the company had lost approximately $55 million on the failed project.