Carl Erik Rinsch, a showmaker who once received an $11 million investment from Netflix to produce a science fiction series, has been indicted on charges of fraud and money laundering. The indictment alleges that Rinsch used the funds for luxury cars, antique furniture, and mattresses, rather than completing the TV series.
Rinsch, 47, had pitched his show “Conquest” to Netflix executives in 2018 but struggled with production costs, which led him to request additional funding from the streaming giant. Netflix ultimately agreed to provide $11 million in exchange for a completed season of the show. However, instead of delivering on his promise, Rinsch allegedly spent most of the funds on personal expenses and investments.
According to court records, Rinsch had already shot six short episodes when he approached Netflix with his show. He then demanded an additional $11 million to complete the first season but only managed to produce a single episode with the provided funds. The production was eventually halted due to financial constraints, and Netflix decided to write off the cost of the series.
Rinsch faces potential charges of wire fraud, money laundering, and using illicit funds in transactions. He is also facing asset forfeiture and could face many years in prison if convicted. Rinsch had argued against the arbitrator’s ruling, claiming that the contract required 13 episodes, but the judge upheld the decision.
Source: https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/carl-rinsch-indicted-netflix-white-horse-conquest-fraud-1236341650