Hollywood filmmaker Carl Erik Rinsch has been charged with defrauding Netflix of $11 million in connection with a science fiction TV series that was never completed. Rinsch, best known for directing the 2013 film 47 Ronin, is accused of using Netflix’s funds for personal expenditures rather than finishing the series White Horse, later renamed Conquest, according to a Los Angeles Times post.
According to the indictment, Rinsch, 47, had been working on Conquest, a series about a humanlike species known as the “Organic Intelligent,” after Netflix agreed to fund the project in 2018. The streaming giant paid Rinsch $44 million for the production. However, as the series faltered, Rinsch allegedly asked for an additional $11 million, which Netflix provided — but the promised episodes were never delivered.
Instead, prosecutors claim that Rinsch diverted the funds for personal gain. The FBI's New York Field Office and the Acting U.S. Attorney of the Southern District of New York indicted Rinsch on charges of wire fraud, money laundering, and unlawful monetary transactions. These charges could lead to decades in prison.
Between 2018 and 2019, while the series was being shot in Brazil, Uruguay, and Budapest, Rinsch’s behavior reportedly became erratic, with crew members expressing concerns about his actions. Privately, his personal life was also unraveling, with Rinsch’s wife, Gabriela Roses Bentancor, filing for divorce in 2020. Despite the mounting issues, Rinsch continued to assure Netflix that the series was progressing well.
The indictment states that rather than completing Conquest, Rinsch spent the $11 million on lavish personal purchases. Among the items listed were luxury hotels, high-end furniture, antiques, designer clothing, and a collection of luxury cars, including five Rolls-Royces and a Ferrari. Rinsch also reportedly invested in securities and cryptocurrency, even after suffering financial losses.
Rinsch's extravagant lifestyle, including the purchase of a $1.5 million watch, came at Netflix's expense, as the filmmaker misrepresented the series’ progress, claiming the show was “awesome and moving forward really well,” even as funds were drained.
When Netflix eventually canceled the project, Rinsch sought financial compensation, claiming the company owed him money. However, an arbitrator ruled in Netflix’s favor, ordering Rinsch to repay $11.8 million to the streaming platform.
In federal court earlier this week, Rinsch appeared shackled and agreed to post a $100,000 bond. His attorney, Anne Carney, declined to comment on the specifics of the case, stating that she had not yet seen the prosecution's evidence. Carney added that the allegations were financial in nature and did not involve any criminal wrongdoing beyond the misuse of funds.
As the case unfolds, the Hollywood community is left grappling with the larger implications of the alleged fraud. The outcome of Rinsch’s case could have significant repercussions for the entertainment industry, particularly in how large-budget projects are handled and monitored by streaming giants like Netflix.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
