Antonio Espaillat, owner of the Jet Set nightclub in the Dominican Republic, was arrested and charged with involuntary homicide after a roof collapse resulted in 236 fatalities. Evidence from a concerned employee revealed warnings about the roof's condition leading up to the disaster.
Jet Set Nightclub Owner Arrested Following Deadly Roof Collapse
Jet Set Nightclub Owner Arrested Following Deadly Roof Collapse
The owner and manager of Jet Set nightclub have been charged with involuntary homicide after a tragic incident claimed 236 lives in April.
The owner of the Jet Set nightclub, a venue in the Dominican Republic that suffered a catastrophic roof collapse resulting in the deaths of 236 people, was apprehended on Thursday and is facing involuntary homicide charges, according to prosecutors.
The roof gave way during a live concert on April 8, prompting an extensive search-and-rescue effort and inciting a nationwide dialogue about the apparent lack of building safety inspections. The recent arrest is attributed to revelations from a staff member who testified that he had previously alerted the owners to the perilous state of the roof and urged them to cancel the concert.
Antonio Espaillat, a prominent businessman linked to a chain of radio stations, was taken for questioning at the attorney general's office in Santo Domingo before being detained, as confirmed by his lawyer, Jorge Luis Polanco.
Additionally, Maribel Espaillat, Antonio's sister and a co-manager of the nightclub, faces similar charges. The attorney general's office stated that both individuals are being accused of "immense irresponsibility and negligence," emphasizing their failure to undertake necessary repairs on the club’s roof. Furthermore, they allegedly attempted to influence or intimidate potential employee witnesses in connection with the case, although further specifics were not disclosed.
