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The owner of the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo—Antonio Espaillat and his sister Maribel Espaillat—were arrested in connection with the catastrophic roof collapse.
The tragedy claimed 236 lives in April after the roof collapsed during a merengue concert. Legendary merengue singer Rubby Pérez was among the victims. The collapse prompted Dominican Republic officials to investigate the club’s operations and its structural safety. Authorities allege that the Espaillat siblings exhibited “significant irresponsibility and negligence” by failing to address known risks to the club’s roof. Rescue workers spent two days digging survivors and bodies out of the rubble.
According to the Dominican Republic’s Attorney General’s Office, warnings about the roof’s structural integrity were ignored and necessary repairs were not made. Prosecutors further claim that the Espaillats attempted to intimidate or influence employees who could serve as key witnesses in the ongoing investigation. The arrests were made after a former Jet Set employee provided prosecutors with evidence—including recorded communications—demonstrating that he had warned Antonio Espaillat about the imminent danger the roof posed prior to April 7.
The employee, Gregory Adamés, pushed for the concert to be suspended due to fears of collapse, but his concerns were unheeded. “If something occurs to me, it’s evident where it originated. My goal is not to harm anyone, but to ensure the truth comes to light,” Adamés said in a statement.
As the investigation continues, Antonio Espaillat faces charges of involuntary homicide. His legal representative says he expects to review the prosecution’s evidence soon and maintains, “No one intended for this to happen.” Families of the victims impacted by the roof collapse have also begun filing lawsuits against the Espaillats, seeking damages and accountability for the disaster.
The Dominican Republic has since acknowledged gaps in oversight of private business construction and is working on legislative reforms to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future. An investigation committee including international experts has been convened to examine the technical cause of the roof collapse.
Content shared from www.digitalmusicnews.com.