"Purchase Hermes luxury items immediately": Text messages reveal Netflix director accused of $11 million fraud rushing to buy high-end goods

Carl Rinsch, a filmmaker facing fraud charges, allegedly spent millions of dollars on high-end purchases after receiving funds from Netflix, according to testimony in his Manhattan federal court trial. Witnesses detailed lavish acquisitions including numerous Hermes items and a $439,000 handmade mattress.

Prosecutors claim Rinsch misappropriated $11 million intended for the sci-fi series White Horse, which explores artificial beings forming their own society on Earth. Though some footage was filmed, the series went significantly over budget and no episodes were completed.

Rinschs former personal assistant, Maria Skotnikova, testified about the directors extravagant lifestyle following Netflix's March 2020 fund transfer. She described a sense of urgency in his spending, citing a text from Rinsch: "Get all that Hermes stuff now. This is your job. We have to do this. Or else the money goes bye-bye." Skotnikova compared his behavior to the movie Brewster's Millions, in which a man must spend $30 million in 30 days to inherit a larger fortune.

Testimony also highlighted luxury vehicle use, including Ferraris and Rolls-Royces, and a significant interest in designer furniture by Jacques Adnet. Skotnikova said Rinsch aimed to control pricing by monopolizing Adnet pieces, alongside placing over 480 food delivery orders in six months during 2022.

Johan Ericsson, a top Hstens mattress salesperson, testified that Rinsch purchased four mattresses totaling $617,610.66, favoring the Grand Vividus modela handcrafted mattress taking over 700 hours to complete. It featured a leather headboard, special base, and included home visits from a "bed doctor." Rinsch later upgraded to a second Grand Vividus mattress instead of selecting three lesser models.

Ericsson confirmed that the mattress purchases were unrelated to the production of White Horse. US District Judge Jed Rakoff noted the detailed description of the mattresses during court proceedings, observing the witnesss enthusiasm but highlighting the irrelevance to the fraud allegations.

Rinschs defense maintains he is innocent, portraying him as a creative filmmaker overwhelmed by the project and insufficiently supported by Netflix. In deposition testimony, Rinsch defended the $450,000 mattress purchase as an investment, stating it retains value compared to cheaper alternatives.

Prosecutors anticipate concluding their case presentation soon, while Rinschs testimony remains undecided.

Author: Olivia Parker