Director Carl Rinsch is sentenced to prison in $11M fraud case over unfinished Netflix show

(30 Jun 2026) ASSOCIATED PRESS New York - 29 June 2026 1. STILL IMAGE: Carl Rinsch leaves a federal courthouse in New York (AP Photo/Seth Wenig/ID:26180718568136) ASSOCIATED PRESS Archive: Tokyo - 19 November 2013 2. Carl Rinsch, director, signing autographs for fans 3. Rinsch talking to reporter UPSOUND: "For us, it was about taking the essence of the 'Chushingura' and telling the story of the 47 Ronin, in a dramatic way that made it our own, as Western film makers." 4. Various, Rinsch and '47 Ronin' cast posing for photos ASSOCIATED PRESS Archive: Tokyo - 18 November 2013 5. STILL IMAGE: Director Carl Rinsch poses for photographers during a news conference to promote his 3-D film "47 RONIN" in Tokyo, Japan, Nov. 18, 2013. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama, File/ID: 26180502705133) ASSOCIATED PRESS Archive: Tokyo - 18 November 2013 6. Pan of Rinsch and '47 Ronin' cast posing for photos 7. Rinsch and '47 Ronin' cast on stage 8. Rinsch talking to reporter UPSOUND: "When we started, we thought, 'How are we going to be able to take what is such a time honored tradition and do it justice?' And the way that we determined from the very beginning that we would do it justice was to make it our own, so to speak." 9. Pan of Rinsch and '47 Ronin' cast posing for photos STORYLINE: Hollywood writer-director Carl Rinsch was sentenced Monday to 2 1/2 years in prison after being convicted of defrauding Netflix out of $11 million 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 $11 million 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 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. 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 $11 million in restitution — should serve five years in prison. Rinsch, who also has used the name Carl Erik Rinsch professionally, hails from the Los Angeles area and began making short films as a teenager. He later directed commercials, then got attention for “47 Ronin,” which stars Reeves. His character leads outcast samurai seeking to avenge their master's killing. Prosecutors said Netflix initially paid Rinsch about $44 million for “White Horse” in 2018 and 2019, then provided another $11 million in 2020 after he said he needed more money to wrap up production. But instead of putting that money toward the show, Rinsch steered the cash to a personal account and made a series of failed investments, losing around half the $11 million in a couple of months, according to prosecutors and witnesses' testimony. They said he put the remaining funds into the cryptocurrency market, netting some profit, which Rinsch deposited into his own bank account. As Rakoff announced the prison term, Rinsch wrote on a piece of paper on a table in front of him. One of his lawyers, Benjamin Zeman, patted the director's back. Netflix declined to comment on his sentence. =========================================================== Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...