Additional Coverage:
- Owner of collapsed Dominican Republic club that killed 236 is arrested, along with his sister (nbcnews.com)
Santo Domingo Nightclub Collapse Leads to Owner’s Arrest
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic – The owner of the Jet Set nightclub, Antonio Espaillat, and his sister, Maribel Espaillat, were arrested Thursday in connection with the tragic roof collapse that claimed 236 lives in April. While no formal charges have been filed, authorities have 48 hours to present their case to a judge.
The Dominican Republic’s Attorney General’s Office alleges that the Espaillats demonstrated “immense irresponsibility and negligence” by failing to prevent the catastrophic collapse. Prosecutors further accuse the siblings, who are considered influential figures in the Dominican Republic, of attempting to influence potential witnesses.
The Espaillats’ attorney, Miguel Valerio, maintains that the incident was an “involuntary homicide,” stating that “nobody wanted that to happen.” He expects to review the prosecution’s evidence in the coming days.
Adding to the complexity of the case, a former Jet Set employee, Gregory Adamés, has come forward with video recordings and conversations allegedly warning Antonio Espaillat about the roof’s instability prior to the April 7th party. Adamés has publicly expressed concerns for his safety following his cooperation with authorities.
A government-appointed committee, including international experts, continues its investigation into the cause of the collapse. The disaster claimed the lives of several prominent individuals, including singer Rubby Pérez, Montecristi province governor Nelsy Cruz, former MLB pitcher Octavio Dotel, and baseball player Tony Enrique Blanco Cabrera.
Numerous lawsuits have been filed against Antonio Espaillat by the families of survivors. The Jet Set nightclub, a popular venue for nearly five decades, was renowned for its Monday night merengue parties.