Director Carl Rinsch Found Guilty of Swindling Netflix Out Of $11 Million

Carl Rinsch was found guilty Thursday of swindling Netflix out of $11 million during the production of his unfinished sci-fi series White Horse. The 48-year-old director faces sentencing on April 17th for wire fraud, money laundering and illegal transactions. Prosecutors said Rinsch funneled Netflix’s money into a brokerage account and gambled millions on Gilead pharmaceuticals while believing the company could cure COVID-19. He also purchased luxury cars, antique furniture and high-end mattresses. Rinsch testified in his defense, claiming he completed first season filming and needed funds for Season 2 pre-production. Netflix never ordered a second season and said the first was incomplete. “This isn’t a movie script that Carl Rinsch and his lawyers can edit,” prosecutor Adam Sowlati told jurors. “This is reality.” Rinsch’s attorney argued the luxury purchases were irrelevant to the case.