Latest news with #MaribelEspaillat
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 Prosecutors say because of the country's outdated legal framework, involuntary homicide was the highest charge they could pursue.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.
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 Post
4 days ago
- New York Post
Bombshell report reveals cause of Dominican Republic roof collapse that killed 236: ‘Complete disregard for building and safety laws'
The owners of the doomed Jet Set nightclub in the Dominican Republic, where 236 people were buried alive earlier this year, ignored obvious warning signs and building safety laws, leading to the catastrophic collapse, a bombshell new government report reveals. Sibling club owners Antonio and Maribel Espaillat, who were arrested last week, overloaded the building's roof, made structural changes without permits and refused to call off the ill-fated April 8 bash despite obvious signs of danger hours earlier, the report said, according to Dominican Today. 'The defendant Maribel Espaillat, aware of a falling debris incident hours before the collapse and in response to a request to suspend the activity, refused to do so, citing the absence of the defendant Antonio Espaillat López and the impossibility of stopping the party, prioritizing economic gain over the safety and lives of people,' the Public Ministry document said. Advertisement 5 The collapse of the Jet Set nightclub on April 8 left 236 dead and 180 injured, rattling the Dominican Republic. REUTERS 5 A survivor is pulled from the wreckage of the Jet Set nightclub in the Dominican Republic after the April 8 collapse. REUTERS 'The nightclub, originally a movie theater, underwent a change of use that involved an inadequate structural adaptation,' investigators said. Advertisement '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.' The nightmarish mishap came in the midst of a celebration at the former hot spot, with the victims including popular performer Rubby Perez, the party's headliner, and former MLB relief pitcher Octavio Dotel. 5 Family and friends grieve during burial services for Marilenny Pilarte, who died in the Jet Set nightclub collapse. AP 5 A new Public Ministry report said negligence and disregard for building laws led to the collapse of the Jet Set nightclub. AFP via Getty Images Advertisement Also killed were Dominican ballplayer Tony Enrique Blanco Cabrera and Nelsy Cruz, the governor of Montecristi province and the sister of seven-time Major League Baseball All-Star Nelson Cruz. Other victims include a retired UN 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. Authorities said 180 others were injured. 5 Mayor Eric Adams paid his respects to the victims of the Jet Set nightclub after the April 8 tragedy that killed 236. Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office Advertisement 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. According to the Spanish-language Dominican outlet Listin Diario, a complete investigation into the tragedy has been hampered by the overwhelming number of victims.
The Independent
13-06-2025
- The Independent
Nightclub owner arrested following deadly roof collapse which killed 236 people
The owner of a nightclub whose roof collapsed and killed 236 people has been arrested along with his sister. Santo Domingo 's iconic Jet Set nightclub was packed with government officials, musicians, and retired Major League Baseball players when its roof collapsed on 8 April. Dominican Republic's Attorney General's Office shared on Thursday that Antonio Espaillat and Maribel Espaillat have been arresed, but have not been charged in the case. Authorities have 48 hours to present any charges before a judge. The Dominican Republic's Attorney General's Office said in a statement: 'Both defendants displayed immense irresponsibility and negligence by failing to physically intervene to prevent the club's roof from collapsing, as it ultimately did, causing 236 deaths and more than 180 injuries'. Prosecutors accused the Espaillats of trying to intimidate or manipulate company employees, adding that they could serve as witnesses in the case. An attorney for the Espaillats could not be immediately reached for comment. The Espaillats were arrested after being interrogated for several hours. A government-appointed committee that includes international experts is still investigating what caused the roof to collapse. Crews worked for 53 hours nonstop after arriving on the scene in Santo Domingo shortly after midnight on April 8, rescuing 189 survivors. The victims included beloved 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 at a hospital, and Dominican baseball player Tony Enrique Blanco Cabrera. Other victims include a retired UN 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 club, which had operated for nearly five decades, was known for its Monday night merengue parties that attracted international celebrities and high-profile Dominicans.
Washington Post
13-06-2025
- Washington Post
Owner of Dominican club whose roof collapsed and killed 236 is arrested along with his sister
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — The owner of an iconic nightclub in the Dominican Republic whose roof collapsed in April and killed 236 people was arrested Thursday along with his sister. Antonio Espaillat and Maribel Espaillat have not been charged in the case , although authorities have 48 hours to present any charges before a judge. 'Both defendants displayed immense irresponsibility and negligence by failing to physically intervene to prevent the club's roof from collapsing, as it ultimately did, causing 236 deaths and more than 180 injuries,' the Dominican Republic's Attorney General's Office said in a statement. Prosecutors accused the Espaillats of trying to intimidate or manipulate company employees, adding that they could serve 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. Miguel Valerio, the Espaillats' attorney, told reporters that he expects to have access to the prosecutors' evidence in upcoming days. 'This is an involuntary homicide,' he said. 'Nobody wanted that to happen.' The Espaillats were arrested after being interrogated for several hours. Altanto TV, a local digital news channel, posted an interview with a man they identified as former Jet Set employee Gregory Adamés. The channel said he gave prosecutors videos and conversations with Antonio Espaillat in which he warned that the April 7 party shouldn't be held because the roof could collapse. Adamés said in a video posted on Instagram that he would hold the Espaillat family responsible if he disappears or is shot or involved in an accident. 'If something happens to me, it's clear where it came from,' he said. 'My intention is not to hurt anyone, only that the truth be known.' A government-appointed committee that includes international experts is still investigating what caused the roof to collapse. Crews worked for 53 hours nonstop after arriving on the scene in Santo Domingo shortly after midnight on April 8, rescuing 189 survivors. The victims included beloved 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.
