Director sentenced to more than two years for defrauding Netflix out of $11m

Hollywood writer-director Carl Rinsch was sentenced Monday to two-and-a-half years in prison after being convicted of defrauding Netflix out of $11m for a never-finished sci-fi series. Supporters including Keanu Reeves had asked the court to show him leniency. Rinsch, best known for the 2013 samurai fantasy film 47 Ronin, was convicted in December of federal wire fraud and other charges. According to prosecutors and trial testimony, he told Netflix he needed $11m to finish a show called White Horse but diverted the money into a personal account and ultimately spent whopping sums on luxury cars, watches, clothes and household goods, including $638,000 on two mattresses. Rinsch, 48, and his lawyers told the court on Monday that his behavior was fueled by mental health struggles and medication problems, which they said he is now addressing with a new care provider. “This process has forced me to confront things about my health, my judgment and my life,” Rinsch said. He apologized for his behavior, acknowledged that “real harm was caused,” and explained: “I failed to recognize the danger of the state I was in.” His psychological troubles weren’t described in court, and he and his lawyers declined to detail them afterward. Prosecutors argued that Rinsch – who also owes about $11m in restitution – should serve five years in prison. …