Carl Erik Rinsch, a Hollywood filmmaker known for directing the 2013 movie “47 Ronin,” has been arrested and charged with fraud and money laundering. Rinsch allegedly misused $11 million provided by Netflix to produce a sci-fi series originally titled “White Horse” and later renamed “Conquest.” Instead of using the funds for the show, he reportedly spent the money on luxury items such as expensive cars, cryptocurrency, and high-end bedding.
The indictment, unsealed in a New York federal court does not name Netflix, referring to a “subscription video on-demand streaming service”, accuses the 47-year-old director of diverting studio resources for personal gain.
Rinsch’s actions have been described as a betrayal by FBI Assistant Director Leslie Backschies, who noted that the filmmaker prioritized personal extravagance over fulfilling his contractual obligations.
The series was meant to explore the lives of powerful clones exiled to a walled Brazilian city, but it never came to fruition.
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Netflix had already paid approximately $44 million between 2018 and 2019 for the show’s production during the height of the streaming boom. Rinsch secured an additional $11 million to complete the project, which instead funded his lavish lifestyle. If convicted, Rinsch could face significant prison time for the alleged scam.
