Hollywood Director Arrested for Allegedly Defrauding Netflix of $11 Million

Carl Erik Rinsch faces charges of wire fraud and money laundering after allegedly misusing funds intended for the sci-fi series 'White Horse.'

Carl Erik Rinsch, director of '47 Ronin,' was arrested in Los Angeles on March 18, 2025, and charged with wire fraud, money laundering, and related offenses.
Prosecutors allege Rinsch misappropriated $11 million provided by Netflix to complete the sci-fi series 'White Horse,' instead using the funds for speculative investments and luxury purchases.
Rinsch reportedly lost over half of the $11 million within two months through failed securities trades and later profited from cryptocurrency investments, spending the remaining funds on personal expenses.
Netflix canceled the project in 2021 after concluding Rinsch did not intend to complete the series, which had received a total of $55 million in funding.
If convicted on all charges, Rinsch could face up to 90 years in prison, with the case being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.