NEW YORK — Hollywood filmmaker Carl Rinsch received a two-and-a-half-year federal prison sentence Monday following his conviction on charges that he cheated Netflix out of $11 million intended for a sci-fi television series that was never completed. Among those who had urged the court to go easy on him was actor Keanu Reeves.
Rinsch, 48, is best recognized for directing the 2013 samurai fantasy film “47 Ronin.” A federal jury found him guilty in December on wire fraud and related charges. Prosecutors presented evidence showing that Rinsch told Netflix the additional funds were needed to wrap up production on a series called “White Horse,” but instead funneled the money into a personal account and went on an extraordinary spending spree — including purchasing two mattresses for a combined $638,000.
Standing before the court Monday, Rinsch and his defense attorneys attributed his conduct to mental health struggles and issues with medication, saying he is now receiving care from a new provider.
“This process has forced me to confront things about my health, my judgment and my life,” Rinsch told the court. He expressed remorse for his actions, admitted that “real harm was caused,” and stated: “I failed to recognize the danger of the state I was in.”
The specific nature of his psychological issues was not outlined in court, and neither Rinsch nor his attorneys elaborated on them afterward.
Prosecutors had pushed for a five-year sentence, noting that Rinsch also owes approximately $11 million in restitution.
“Mr. Rinsch had every possible advantage,” including family wealth, an elite education, well-known friends, and a thriving career, prosecutor David Markewitz told the judge. He characterized Rinsch’s motive as “naked greed.”
Rinsch, who has also gone by Carl Erik Rinsch professionally, grew up in the Los Angeles area and began making short films as a teenager. He transitioned into directing commercials before landing the high-profile “47 Ronin,” which stars Reeves as the leader of a group of outcast samurai seeking revenge for their master’s death.
In a letter submitted before sentencing, Reeves wrote that Rinsch brings “exceptional joy and warmth to the people around him” and “creative inspiration to others through his creativity and vision.”
The “Matrix” star acknowledged he was not familiar with the specifics of the case but noted that Rinsch “can self-sabotage by amplifying the scale, scope and landscape of what had been negotiated.” Reeves expressed hope that the sentence “might be tempered with measures of leniency and mercy as well as justice.”
According to prosecutors, Netflix originally paid Rinsch roughly $44 million for “White Horse” between 2018 and 2019. In 2020, he requested and received an additional $11 million, claiming he needed it to finish the production.
Instead, he diverted that money into a personal account and made a string of bad investments, losing nearly half of it within just a couple of months, prosecutors and witnesses testified. He then moved the remaining funds into cryptocurrency, turning a profit, which he deposited into his own bank account.
What followed was a wave of lavish spending. Prosecutors said Rinsch bought five Rolls-Royces, a red Ferrari, $652,000 worth of watches and clothing, and the two ultra-expensive mattresses — plus an additional $295,000 on high-end bedding and linens. He also used a portion of the funds to pay down roughly $1.8 million in credit card debt.
U.S. District Judge Jed S. Rakoff acknowledged that Rinsch’s mental health challenges “may explain some of the excesses” but said they do not “detract from the court’s conclusion that he was determined to lie to get substantial monies from Netflix, lie to cover it up.”
As the judge announced the sentence, Rinsch sat writing on a piece of paper at the defense table. One of his attorneys, Benjamin Zeman, placed a hand on his back.
Following the hearing, Rinsch — who is scheduled to report to prison in September — embraced supporters who had come to court. He and his legal team declined to speak with reporters on the way out, though attorney Daniel McGuinness indicated they intend to appeal the conviction.
Netflix declined to comment on the sentencing.
