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Director Carl Rinsch sentenced to 2.5 years for defrauding Netflix
🇬🇷 Greece /Crime & Justice

Director Carl Rinsch sentenced to 2.5 years for defrauding Netflix

From Kathimerini · () Greek

Translated from Greek, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Outcome reported
  • American director Carl Rinsch was sentenced to over two years in prison for defrauding Netflix.
  • Rinsch pleaded guilty to wire fraud and money laundering, admitting he squandered millions of dollars intended for a TV series.
  • He cited mental health issues and apologized for his actions, but the judge stated Rinsch was determined to lie for significant financial gain.

American director Carl Rinsch has been sentenced to two and a half years in prison for defrauding Netflix, despite a plea for leniency from actor Keanu Reeves.

If I am not brought to South Korea, I will end up dying.

— North Korean soldierOne of the two captured soldiers told South Korean broadcaster MBC earlier this year about his fears of returning to North Korea.

Rinsch, 48, was found guilty in December 2025 of wire fraud and money laundering. He allegedly squandered millions of dollars provided by Netflix in 2018 to film a 12-episode series titled "White Horse," later renamed "Conquest." The production ultimately failed, costing Netflix $55 million.

The government will continue to make diplomatic efforts to advance and resolve the issue of the North Korean prisoners of war.

— South Korean foreign ministry spokesmanThe spokesman addressed reporters following talks between the South Korean and Ukrainian foreign ministers.

Reeves, who worked with Rinsch on the 2013 film "47 Ronin," wrote a letter to the judge hoping for leniency. However, U.S. District Judge Jed S. Rakoff stated that while Rinsch's mental health issues might explain some "excesses," they did not diminish his determination to lie for substantial financial gain.

HERIOIC

— Kim Jong UnNorth Korean leader Kim Jong Un praised North Korean troops killed in Ukraine in April for taking part in "death-defying hand-to-hand fights and heroic suicidal explosions ... without hesitation", according to the Korean Central News Agency.

Rinsch apologized for his behavior, acknowledging he caused "real harm" and failed to recognize the danger of his situation. He claimed his actions were fueled by mental health problems. The director reportedly spent the Netflix funds on cars, antiques, and luxury home goods, and later claimed the streaming service owed him $8.7 million during an arbitration process.

The ministers "engaged in constructive discussions" on the soldiers' future on Tuesday.

— South Korean foreign ministry spokesmanThe spokesman described the talks between South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and Ukrainian counterpart Andriy Sybiga.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Kathimerini in Greek. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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