Latest news with #AntonioEspaillat
CBS News
2 days ago
- CBS News
Owner of Dominican nightclub where 236 people died in roof collapse appears in court
A new criminal indictment claims the owners of the Jet Set nightclub in the Dominican Republic knew the building's roof was shoddy and refused to act. The collapse killed 236 people. Nearly 200 people were also injured. As the owners appeared in court for the first time Wednesday, one victim's sister told CBS News New York she doubts they will ever be held accountable. "Nothing's going to fill that void" Among those killed was 24-year-old Jennifer Contreras. "That was my best friend. We were really, really close," her sister Luz Contreras said. "Nothing's going to fill that void. I'm going to forever miss my sister." An aerial view of the Jet Set nightclub days after its roof collapsed, killing more than 200 people, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Friday, April 11, 2025. Matias Delacroix / AP The criminal indictment against the Espaillats says the roof collapse was the result of "complete disregard for building and safety laws." It goes on to say they operated the famous club with systematic and gross negligence which put hundreds of lives at risk. Antonio Espaillat entered the courtroom surrounded by armed officers. He was followed by his sister Maribel. Prosecutors blame the Espaillats, who owned and managed the nightclub, for April's collapse. Dozens of families showed up at court Wednesday, including the sister of merengue singer Rubby Perez, who was killed while performing the night of the collapse. Prosecutors say because of the country's outdated legal framework, involuntary homicide was the highest charge they could pursue. The attorney for the Espaillats calls the charge appropriate, saying the family had no ill intent. If convicted, the Espaillats face 3 months to 2 years in prison, and a small fine. "OK, two years and a fine? That's not fair, because you changed everybody's life. Hundreds of people's lives you changed. That's what you did," Luz Contreras said. "He'll probably get away with house arrest. You're living in the comfort of your own home. The comfort of my home has changed. My sister lived with us. Her room is empty now." The Espaillats also face at least 109 lawsuits filed on behalf of victims and their families.
Global News
3 days ago
- Global News
Jet Set owners charged with involuntary homicide after deadly roof collapse
The owners of Jet Set, a popular nightclub in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, where 236 people were killed when its roof collapsed during a live concert in early April, have been arrested and charged with involuntary homicide, the Dominican Republic's attorney general's office says. The establishment's roof collapsed in the small hours of April 8 with hundreds of concertgoers inside, prompting a multi-day search and rescue effort to find survivors and the deceased, the ordeal sparking outrage over the country's substandard building safety codes. Antonio Espaillat, a prominent Dominican businessman and the club's owner, who also runs dozens of local radio stations and several entertainment hubs, was arrested on Thursday after a former employee presented evidence proving that he had advised the owners, including Espaillat, to cancel the concert because the roof of the building was in a dangerously poor condition, according to reports by The New York Times. Story continues below advertisement According to NBC News, the man identified himself as former Jet Set employee Gregory Adamés during an interview with Altanto TV, a local Dominican digital news channel, which says he provided prosecutors with video of conversations with Espaillat where he advised that the ill-fated party shouldn't go ahead because the roof may collapse. 1:10 Death toll from Dominican Republic nightclub roof collapse rises to 124 Espaillat was detained on Thursday after attending a hearing at the attorney general's office in the Dominican capital of Santo Domingo, his lawyer, Jorge Luis Polanco, confirmed. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Maribel Espaillat, Antonio's sister, who managed the club, has also been charged with involuntary manslaughter. View image in full screen Members of special police forces take Maribel Espaillat, sister of businessman Antonio Espaillat, into custody in Santo Domingo on June 15, 2025. STR / Getty Images In a statement published by the New York Times, the attorney general's office wrote that the siblings 'demonstrated immense irresponsibility and negligence by failing to do what was necessary to ensure that the Jet Set Club's roof was adequately and expertly repaired,' adding that they had attempted to 'manipulate or intimidate' employees who could have been potential witnesses. Story continues below advertisement View image in full screen Aerial view shows rescue teams working at the Jet Set nightclub a day after the collapse of its roof in Santo Domingo on April 9, 2025. Rescuers raced to find survivors among the rubble of the nightclub where at least 124 people, including a former Major League Baseball star, were killed when the roof collapsed. Alfred Davies/ Getty Images It did not provide additional details. In an interview shortly after the disaster, Espaillat appeared to express remorse, telling the media that he was 'destroyed' by the fatal incident that killed 236 people, adding that if he could have prevented the collapse, he would have. 'There was no warning, nothing. We were all surprised,' he said. 'I'm going to face everything,' he added. 'I'm not going anywhere.' Espaillat did not attend the scene during rescue efforts over concerns for his safety, as angry crowds had gathered at the site. The club, which was founded 52 years ago by Espaillat's mother, Ana Grecia López, when he was just six years old, had become a pillar of the city's nightlife and was frequented by many high-profile individuals. Story continues below advertisement It remained in the same location for three decades before it collapsed in April with about 515 people inside, according to the owners. The victims of the collapse included seven doctors, a retired United Nations official, former MLB players Octavio Dotel and Tony Enrique Blanco Cabrera, and Nelsy Cruz, the governor of Montecristi province and sister of seven-time Major League Baseball All-Star Nelson Cruz, the AP reported. It also killed merengue star Rubby Perez, who was performing when the roof caved in. There is currently no government agency dedicated to inspecting the buildings of private businesses in the Dominican Republic, although President Luis Abinader announced after the collapse the introduction of new legislation, which is expected to change that. — With files from the Associated Press
Time of India
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Dominican Republic nightclub tragedy goes viral as owner and sister arrested after roof collapse kills 236
In a dramatic development two months after one of the deadliest nightclub disasters in Caribbean history, Dominican Republic authorities have arrested nightclub owner Antonio Espaillat and his sister Maribel Espaillat. The arrests come in connection with the roof collapse at Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, which killed 236 people and injured over 180 more on April 8. 🚨 Dominican Republic Nightclub Roof Collapse (Apr 8)Tragedy at Jet Set nightclub, Santo Domingo—roof collapsed at 12:44 am during Rubby Pérez's live merengue show98+ dead & 160+ injuredAmong victims: singer Pérez, ex-MLB players, & a provincial governor#DominicanRepublic Arrest follows national tragedy According to a statement from the Attorney General's Office, the siblings demonstrated 'immense irresponsibility and negligence' by failing to take preventive action, despite longstanding issues with the building's structure. Prosecutors now have 48 hours to formally present charges. At 12:34 a.m. Tuesday, April 8, 2025 the roof of the Jet Set Nightclub, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic least 113 people were killed and another 155 injured including Nelsy Cruz, governor of the Monte Cristi province and former MLB players, Octavio Dotel and Tony… A night of celebration turns into horror The tragedy unfolded during a packed performance by legendary merengue singer Rubby Pérez. Over 500 people had gathered to celebrate the club's 50th anniversary, a legacy venue passed down to the Espaillats from their mother. Among the dead were prominent figures, including Pérez himself, former MLB stars Octavio Dotel and Tony Blanco, and Nelsy Cruz, the governor of Montecristi and sister of baseball icon Nelson Cruz. What was supposed to be a night of music and celebration quickly turned into an unspeakable catastrophe. The cause of the structural failure remains under investigation. Tragedy in Dominican Republic: Nightclub Roof Collapse During Concert Kills 44, Including Province Governor. Longstanding warning signs While Antonio Espaillat claimed during a local television interview that 'there was no warning' the roof was compromised, he also admitted the venue had experienced routine water leakage from its air conditioning system for years. These filtration issues, prosecutors suggest, may have signalled the potential danger long before the collapse. 🎙 #EstaNocheMariasela | Caso Jet Set'Gregory advirtió… y no fue escuchado.'Así lo afirma el abogado Plinio Pina, representante de Gregory Adames, quien asegura que su cliente advirtió en múltiples ocasiones a Antonio Espaillat sobre el peligro que representaba el techo. During the same interview, Antonio stated he would cooperate fully and remain in the country to face any consequences. He expressed deep remorse, saying he felt 'completely destroyed' and that there were no words to convey the pain caused by the incident. Allegations of witness intimidation Authorities have also accused the Espaillats—described as influential figures in the Dominican Republic's entertainment and media industry—of attempting to manipulate or intimidate potential witnesses. The pair reportedly own several elite venues and dozens of radio stations across the country. President Luis Abinader addressed the nation on social media shortly after the tragedy, expressing heartfelt condolences and assuring citizens that rescue and relief efforts were being carried out with urgency. As the case unfolds, the country watches closely, demanding justice for the 236 lives lost in what is now considered one of the deadliest entertainment venue disasters in the region.
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Daily Mail
Tragic cause of nightclub roof collapse that killed 236 revealed as owners are accused of ignoring warning signs
The owners of a Dominican nightclub where a roof collapsed, killing 236 revelers, had ignored warning signs that a tragedy could strike, according to a new government report investigating the horror accident. Antonio and Maribel Espaillat, the sibling owners of Jet Set nightclub, were arrested last week, two months after the rooftop of the iconic club collapsed during an event, killing 236 attendees and injuring 150 more. The Public Prosecutor's Office in the Dominican Republic has sought preventative detention for Antonio and house arrest for his sister, according to Dominican Today. The prosecutors allege the duo's 'chain of actions and omissions... demonstrates a systematic pattern of irresponsibility and negligence.' Citing examples of such actions, a report from the office alleges the duo failed to get proper permits for the work they conducted on the nightclub, and conducted 'structural modifications without a technical basis, overloading the roof, deficient 'repairs' and disregard for danger warnings.' Prosecutors accused the Espaillats of trying to intimidate or manipulate company employees who could have been used as witnesses in the case. Antonio Espaillat is considered a powerful businessman in the Dominican Republic; he owns upscale entertainment centers and dozens of local radio stations. The Public Ministry claimed in the report that on the night of the tragedy, Maribel 'was aware of a falling debris incident hours before the collapse.' She was asked to suspend the planned party for that evening but 'refused to do so.' In her refusal, Maribel allegedly 'cited the absence of Antonio... and the impossibility of stopping the party, prioritizing economic gain over the safety and lives of people.' The report stated the tragedy 'would have been entirely avoidable if the defendants had acted according to the law and valued life over money.' The nightclub owners allegedly overloaded the roof of the club with technical booths, six air conditioning units weighing between 15 and 20 tons each, and water tanks. They did this 'without conducting any study to guarantee the structure's capacity to support such weight,' the report stated. Additionally, 'the nightclub, originally a movie theater, underwent a change of use that involved an inadequate structural adaptation,' prosecutors stated. 'A key column in the structure was subsequently removed, significantly affecting the roof's stability, without any professional assessment or permit to support the modification, demonstrating high-risk behavior.' Other changes which took place without oversight included installing a stage, lighting systems, bars, and VIP areas, prosecutors stated. Prosecutors allege the duo were completely aware that the roof was having problems and had received 'visual reports (photos and videos)' as well as 'communications from their employees.' In the immediate aftermath of the collapse, first responders worked through rubble and debris to find survivors. Crews worked for 53 hours nonstop after arriving on the scene in Santo Domingo shortly after midnight on April 8, rescuing 189 survivors. Once that was done and all the bodies were removed, the Public Ministry directed teams to preserve the debris to be inspected as part of the investigation. The victims included singer Rubby Pérez, who was performing when the roof caved in, and Nelsy Cruz, the governor of Montecristi province and sister of seven-time Major League Baseball All-Star Nelson Cruz. Also killed was former MLB pitcher Octavio Dotel, who was pulled from the debris but died in hospital, and Dominican baseball player Tony Enrique Blanco Cabrera. Other victims include a retired U.N. official, New York-based fashion designer Martín Polanco, an Army captain who left behind four young girls, and three employees at Grupo Popular, a financial services company, including the president of AFP Popular Bank and his wife. The relatives of several survivors have filed lawsuits against Antonio Espaillat. The club, which had operated for nearly five decades, was known for its Monday night merengue parties that attracted international celebrities and high-profile Dominicans. Miguel Valerio, the Espaillats' attorney, said earlier this week: 'This is an involuntary homicide. Nobody wanted that to happen.'
New York Times
4 days ago
- New York Times
Owners of Doomed Nightclub in Dominican Republic Knew Roof Was Shoddy
It was 2:23 p.m. on a Monday in Santo Domingo, 379 tickets had already been sold for a big show that night at the Jet Set disco, and the club's reservations manager, Gregorio Adames, was getting worried: Chunks of the roof were falling, knocking down ceiling panels. Panels had come loose before, but he suddenly realized that the damage was more dangerous than anyone thought. The trouble wasn't the panels: It was the roof itself. 'Sir, there's an important issue that needs to be reviewed at the disco,' he wrote in a WhatsApp message to his boss, Antonio Espaillat, the club's owner and a radio station mogul, according to a 126-page criminal indictment released this weekend. When another chunk came down at 11:40 p.m., bruising a customer, Mr. Adames urged his boss to cancel the show, prosecutors said. But Mr. Espaillat was out of town, and his sister, Maribel Espaillat, who also managed the club, said she wasn't authorized to make big decisions without him. At 12:44 a.m. on the morning of April 8, the decades-old roof of the building, Santo Domingo's most popular nightclub, came crashing down, ultimately killing 235 people and injuring nearly 200 more. The victims came from nine countries; five were from the United States. One hundred and thirty children lost parents, with 15 losing both parents. The dead ranged in age from 17 to 71. The Espaillats face involuntary homicide charges and have been jailed pending a bond hearing this week. Prosecutors are asking for Mr. Espaillat to be held without bail and for his sister to be under house arrest. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
