Director convicted of $11M Netflix fraud
Hollywood director Carl Erik Rinsch was convicted in federal court in New York on December 11, 2025 of wire fraud, money laundering and related charges for misappropriating $11 million that Netflix advanced to finish his sci‑fi series “White Horse.” Prosecutors said Rinsch diverted the funds to speculative stock and crypto trades and luxury purchases, including five Rolls‑Royces, a Ferrari, hundreds of thousands on watches, clothing, mattresses and linens, and $1.8 million in credit card bills; he never delivered the show. Sentencing is set for April, and Netflix declined to comment.
📌 Key Facts
- Netflix paid Rinsch about $44 million total, including a final $11 million he misused
- Purchases included five Rolls‑Royces, one Ferrari, ~$638,000 on two mattresses, and $295,000 on luxury bedding
- $1.8 million in credit card debt was paid with the funds; the show was never completed
📊 Relevant Data
64% of film and TV workers have considered leaving the industry due to mental health issues, which may contribute to erratic behavior and financial mismanagement in high-pressure creative environments.
Mental health crisis hits film & TV — Empower Up
30% of film and TV workers have experienced suicidal thoughts, highlighting the severe mental health challenges in the entertainment industry that could underlie cases of professional misconduct.
Mental health crisis hits film & TV — Empower Up
In 2020, Black individuals accounted for 30% of fraud arrests in the United States (23,870 arrests), while comprising approximately 12% of the population, resulting in a per capita arrest rate of about 59 per 100,000 compared to 27 per 100,000 for White individuals (52,680 arrests, 58% of population).
Arrests by offense, age, and race — Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
In 2024, only 20.2% of directors for top theatrical films were BIPOC, compared to 44.3% of the U.S. population being BIPOC, showing underrepresentation in Hollywood directing roles.