Director Carl Rinsch sentenced to 2.5 years in prison in $11 million fraud case over unfinished Netflix show
CBS News • • entertainment
Key Points:
- Hollywood writer-director Carl Rinsch was sentenced to 2.5 years in prison for defrauding Netflix of $11 million intended for the sci-fi series "White Horse," which was never completed.
- Prosecutors revealed Rinsch diverted the funds into personal accounts, spending lavishly on luxury cars, watches, clothes, and even $638,000 on mattresses, while also making risky investments.
- Rinsch and his lawyers cited mental health struggles and medication issues as factors in his behavior, which he is now addressing, and he apologized in court for the harm caused.
- Despite support and a leniency plea from actor Keanu Reeves, prosecutors sought a five-year sentence, emphasizing Rinsch's privileged background and labeling his actions as driven by greed.
- Rinsch owes about $11 million in restitution, will serve three years of supervised release after prison, and plans to appeal the conviction; Netflix declined to comment on the sentencing.
