Director Rinsch Guilty of Defrauding Netflix Their Motion for $500000 in Lawyer Fees Denied

Director Rinsch Guilty of Defrauding Netflix Their Motion for $500000 in Lawyer Fees Denied by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack SDNY COURTHOUSE, July 17 – Director Carl Erik Rinsh, indicted for allegedly defrauding Netflix out of $11 million, was flown to New York at government expense on September 30. He appeared before U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Judge Jed S. Rakoff. Inner City Press was there - and again on June 29, when he was sentenced to 30 months. The case centers around a show Rinsch pitched to Netflix, then called "White Horse" but renamed Conquest. Actor Keanu Reeves, who starred in Rinsch's 47 Ronin, reportedly put in funds. Rinsch bought cars and securities. As with US v. Charlie Javice and JPMorgan Chase, some wonder if this is not essentially a civil case, that the corporate defraudee convince the (past) DOJ to criminalize.    Rinsh's appointed lawyer made Constitutional arguments, alongside an argument to transfer venue (and perhaps reduce travel cost on the public - the hotel allowance is $342 a night). Then Judge Rakoff said he would clear the courtroom to hear Rinsch's argument for change of counsel.   Judge Rakoff said, Including the one I call my favorite reporter, often the only reporter here.  Inner City Press stepped out, but will continue to cover the case(s). On October 1 Judge Rakoff's bottom line order denying three of Rinsch's four motions but granting him a bill of particulars by November 24. Jump cut to December 11 after trial: "JURY VERDICT as to Carl Erik Rinsch (1) Guilty on Count 1,2,3-7." On March 23, 2026 Judge Rakoff denied his motion for a new trial, saying in part that "Rinsch's Rule 29 motion borders on the frivolous." On April 8, sentencing was adjourned "sine die" - without a new date. On May 5, Judge Rakoff set sentencing for June 29. Rinsch wrote in asking for no prison time, with partial redacted letters including one from Keanu Reeves. On June 16 the US Attorney's Office wrote in asking for not less than 5 years. On June 29 he got 30 months in prison, Inner City Press live tweeted here On July 16 his lawyer opposed Netflix's request for $500,000 in attorneys' fees, noting that under the CJA plan lawyers get $3000 for representing a witness and Netflix is asking 33 times that. On July 17 Judge Rakoff denied Netflix' request: "the parties were unable to reach an agreement. Netflix then submitted a further proposal for $542,848.87 in legal fees and expenses, many of which Rinsch disputed in whole or in part. Upon consideration, the Court substantially agrees with Rinsch's objections and, in addition, finds that many of the expenses claimed by Netflix are inappropriate or excessive. Rather than prolonging this dispute further, however, the Court exercises its discretion to add nothing to the restitution amount of $11 million plus interest already awarded. SO ORDERED. (Signed by Judge Jed S. Rakoff on 7/17/2026) Filing on Patreon here This one is USA v. Rinsch, 1:25-cr-85 (Rakoff) *** Your support means a lot. As little as $5 a month helps keep us going and grants you access to exclusive bonus material on our Patreon page. Click here to become a patron. Feedback: Editorial [at] innercitypress.com SDNY Press Room 500 Pearl Street, NY NY 10007 USA Mail: Box 130222, Chinatown Station, NY NY 10013 Reporter's mobile (and weekends): 718-716-3540 Other, earlier Inner City Press are listed here, and some are available in the ProQuest service, and now on Lexis-Nexis.  Copyright 2006-2025 Inner City Press, Inc. To request reprint or other permission, e-contact Editorial [at] innercitypress.com