Rinsch, best known for directing the 2013 film "47 Ronin," now faces sentencing after the federal jury's decision.Rinsch, best known for directing the 2013 film "47 Ronin," now faces sentencing after the federal jury's decision.

Hollywood Director Convicted After $11M Netflix Funds Diverted to Crypto Bets

2025/12/14 05:40

Hollywood director Carl Erik Rinsch was convicted in Manhattan federal court for defrauding Netflix of $11 million intended for a science fiction television series that never materialized.

A federal jury found the 48-year-old director guilty of multiple counts of wire fraud and money laundering, after prosecutors said he siphoned the funds for personal use, including high-risk stock trades, cryptocurrency investments, luxury cars, watches, and five-star hotel stays in California and Spain.

The series, originally titled “White Horse” and later renamed “Conquest,” had already received roughly $44 million in earlier funding. Rinsch began filming six short-form episodes with support from his mentor, Keanu Reeves, before pitching the project to studios.

Between late 2019 and early 2020, he requested an additional $11 million to finish production. Prosecutors said he transferred the funds into personal accounts, losing about half through risky investments, then used the remaining funds on cryptocurrency and lavish spending.

Court documents show he bought five Rolls-Royces, a Ferrari, high-end watches and clothing, luxury mattresses and bedding, and repaid $1.8 million in personal credit card debt, all with money Netflix believed was meant for the series. Rinsch argued at trial that the dispute was contractual and that he considered the payments as reimbursement for work already completed.

US Attorney for the Southern District of New York Jay Clayton said the conviction comes after a one-week trial before US District Judge Jed S. Rakoff. He added,

The charges carry maximum penalties of a total of 90 years in prison, although the actual sentence is expected to be shorter. Rinsch is scheduled to be sentenced on April 17, 2026.

Rinsch was arrested in March this year in West Hollywood, California. Earlier reports suggest that he invested in popular meme coin Dogecoin (DOGE) and made $27 million in profits.

The post Hollywood Director Convicted After $11M Netflix Funds Diverted to Crypto Bets appeared first on CryptoPotato.

Disclaimer: The articles reposted on this site are sourced from public platforms and are provided for informational purposes only. They do not necessarily reflect the views of MEXC. All rights remain with the original authors. If you believe any content infringes on third-party rights, please contact [email protected] for removal. MEXC makes no guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the content and is not responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided. The content does not constitute financial, legal, or other professional advice, nor should it be considered a recommendation or endorsement by MEXC.

You May Also Like

SEC issues investor guide on crypto wallets and custody risks

SEC issues investor guide on crypto wallets and custody risks

The SEC released a guide on crypto wallets and custody for investors.
Share
Cryptopolitan2025/12/14 08:38
UK Looks to US to Adopt More Crypto-Friendly Approach

UK Looks to US to Adopt More Crypto-Friendly Approach

The post UK Looks to US to Adopt More Crypto-Friendly Approach appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com. The UK and US are reportedly preparing to deepen cooperation on digital assets, with Britain looking to copy the Trump administration’s crypto-friendly stance in a bid to boost innovation.  UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent discussed on Tuesday how the two nations could strengthen their coordination on crypto, the Financial Times reported on Tuesday, citing people familiar with the matter.  The discussions also involved representatives from crypto companies, including Coinbase, Circle Internet Group and Ripple, with executives from the Bank of America, Barclays and Citi also attending, according to the report. The agreement was made “last-minute” after crypto advocacy groups urged the UK government on Thursday to adopt a more open stance toward the industry, claiming its cautious approach to the sector has left the country lagging in innovation and policy.  Source: Rachel Reeves Deal to include stablecoins, look to unlock adoption Any deal between the countries is likely to include stablecoins, the Financial Times reported, an area of crypto that US President Donald Trump made a policy priority and in which his family has significant business interests. The Financial Times reported on Monday that UK crypto advocacy groups also slammed the Bank of England’s proposal to limit individual stablecoin holdings to between 10,000 British pounds ($13,650) and 20,000 pounds ($27,300), claiming it would be difficult and expensive to implement. UK banks appear to have slowed adoption too, with around 40% of 2,000 recently surveyed crypto investors saying that their banks had either blocked or delayed a payment to a crypto provider.  Many of these actions have been linked to concerns over volatility, fraud and scams. The UK has made some progress on crypto regulation recently, proposing a framework in May that would see crypto exchanges, dealers, and agents treated similarly to traditional finance firms, with…
Share
BitcoinEthereumNews2025/09/18 02:21