Netflix wants its $11 million back from director Carl Rinsch

That may be hard for Rinsch, as he allegedly already spent most of it on crypto, lavish personal purchases, and legal fees to sue Netflix. Last week, the director was arrested on charges of fraud and money laundering. In addition to his crypto bets, Variety reports that Rinsch bought and then attempted to return two custom-made, extra-wide Hästens mattresses (about seven feet square), valued at $439,900 and $210,400, respectively. Allegedly, he attempted the return over ethical and allergenic concerns about the “provenance of horsehair materials” in the mattresses, according to a dropped suit he filed against the company (per Variety). Other alleged ridiculous purchases include $5.4 million worth of furniture, a fleet of Rolls Royces, and fancy watches and clothing in addition to at least $1 million on lawyers to sue Netflix and litigate his divorce case. 

When Netflix canceled the series, Rinsch reportedly didn’t take the news very well. “Dear Coward,” he allegedly wrote to an executive at the time. “Time to fess up.” At a subsequent arbitration hearing, the director testified that his behavior was the result of his neurodivergence. “Whatever’s going on there, I can tell you it’s not drug-induced,” he said. “It’s not mentally ill. It’s exacerbating a different neurotype that most people might not be able to understand.”

Netflix obtained an $11.8 million judgment in August and is now attempting to locate assets of Rinsch’s it can seize. The streamer apparently told a judge that it had to move quickly because Rinsch “reportedly has a propensity to go on spending sprees.” In the meantime, if the studio really wants to make some of that money back, it may have the next great scammer hit on its hands. 

You can read more about Netflix’s case—and Rinsch’s increasingly wacky defense, including a claim that he bought the expensive mattress for an unordered second season of his failed show—at Variety.