Wed Mar 19 02:30:00 UTC 2025: ## Film Director Indicted on Fraud Charges After Allegedly Misusing $11 Million Netflix Funds
**New York, NY** – Director Carl Erik Rinsch has been indicted on federal charges of wire fraud, money laundering, and related offenses, accused of embezzling $11 million from Netflix intended for his science fiction series, “White Horse” (also known as “Conquest”). The 47-year-old was arrested Tuesday in West Hollywood.
The indictment alleges that Rinsch, after receiving a $44 million investment from Netflix to produce the first season, repeatedly exceeded his budget and then requested an additional $11 million under false pretenses. Instead of using the funds to complete the show, as promised, Rinsch allegedly engaged in high-risk investments, losing a significant portion of the money. He also reportedly spent lavishly on luxury items, including multiple Rolls Royces and a Ferrari, high-end furniture, mattresses, and stays at the Four Seasons.
The allegations, initially reported by the New York Times in November 2023, follow an August arbitration ruling ordering Rinsch to repay $11.8 million. A Los Angeles Superior Court judge upheld that ruling in November. The arbitration documents detail Rinsch’s increasingly erratic behavior, including lengthy digressions on unrelated topics during meetings with Netflix executives and a failure to deliver on promised episodes.
The indictment claims Rinsch used some of the misappropriated funds to purchase cryptocurrency, resulting in a profit, and further highlights his use of the remaining funds on extravagant personal expenses while assuring Netflix that production was progressing smoothly.
Rinsch faces a substantial prison sentence and potential forfeiture of assets. His previous attempt to overturn the arbitration ruling was unsuccessful. The case underscores the significant financial risks involved in large-scale film and television productions.
First Piper 