Director arrested after misusing Netflix's $55 million payment
Netflix paid director Carl Erik Rinsch $55 million for a show that was never produced. Much of that money went towards luxury items and expenses, including Rolls Royce cars, expensive mattresses, and stays at a high-end hotel. Rinsch faces serious legal troubles. He was arrested on charges of wire fraud and money laundering. Federal prosecutors are investigating how he spent the money Netflix provided for a show called "White Horse" or "Conquest." Reports say he spent $2.4 million on luxury cars, $1.8 million on credit card bills, and $395,000 at the Four Seasons hotel. He also bought watches and clothes for $652,000 and paid $1 million to lawyers in an attempt to get more money from Netflix. In 2017, Rinsch pitched a sci-fi show to Amazon, but Netflix offered him $44 million up front. After making some unusual claims about COVID-19 and lightning strikes, he sought an additional $11 million from Netflix. This amount was allegedly transferred to his personal account after being deposited in his production company's account. While Netflix has not commented on the situation, the cost of its subscription has steadily risen. The premium plan, which was $11.99 in 2013, is now $24.99 in 2025, marking a significant increase over the years.