Santo Domingo – The Public Prosecutor’s Office has formally requested preventive detention for Antonio Espaillat and house arrest for his sister, Maribel Espaillat, in connection with the catastrophic roof collapse at Jet Set nightclub that killed 235 people and injured more than 180.
According to the prosecution’s statement, the siblings demonstrated “a systematic pattern of irresponsibility and negligence.” The charges stem from a series of alleged violations, including the operation of the venue without proper permits, unauthorized structural changes, excessive roof overloading, and the consistent dismissal of employee warnings about life-threatening hazards.
The coercive measure request was filed with the Judicial Office of Permanent Attention Services in the National District. It was submitted by a legal team led by Deputy Attorney General Wilson Camacho and National District Prosecutor Rosalba Ramos. Additional signatories include prosecutors Héctor García, Magalys Sánchez, Emmanuel Ramírez, Rosa Ysabel Mejía, Miguel Collado, and Vladimir Viloria.
Violations Linked to Involuntary Manslaughter Charges
The Public Ministry is charging the Espaillat siblings under Articles 319 and 320 of the Dominican Penal Code, which penalize involuntary manslaughter and bodily harm. The charges follow the April 8, 2025 tragedy at Jet Set, located in El Portal Plaza on Independencia Avenue. The collapse occurred during a live performance by merengue legend Rubby Pérez, who also died in the incident.
Following the tragedy, Attorney General Yeni Berenice Reynoso immediately ordered an investigation. The Emergency Operations Center (COE), led by retired General Juan Manuel Méndez García, secured the scene after completing rescue operations. The preserved debris has been used for technical evaluations, which, according to prosecutors, revealed severe structural deficiencies and regulatory violations.
Experts Blame Collapse on Unauthorized Modifications and Overloading
The Public Ministry’s investigation included assessments by structural engineers Leonardo de Jesús Reyes Madera, Eduardo A. Fierro of BFP Engineers, and pathological engineer Máximo José Corominas Quezada. Their findings confirmed that the building—originally designed as a cinema—underwent unauthorized structural modifications that compromised its integrity.
Prosecutors state that a key support column was removed during renovations without engineering review or municipal approval. Heavy additions, including six large air conditioning units (weighing 15–20 tons each), water tanks, lighting systems, and technical booths, were installed on the roof without evaluating load capacity.
According to the Public Ministry, the Espaillats ignored multiple warnings from employees, including photos and videos documenting roof damage. Despite a debris fall incident just hours before the collapse, Maribel Espaillat reportedly refused to cancel the night’s event, citing her brother’s absence and prioritizing profit over public safety.
Prosecutors: Collapse Was Preventable
Technical reports also revealed missing masonry support walls and poorly anchored beams, reinforcing the conclusion that the disaster was preventable. The prosecutors allege that the venue operated with “gross and systematic negligence” for years, violating land use and construction laws without consequence.
Authorities further allege that the Espaillats attempted to intimidate witnesses to obstruct justice and prevent evidence submission. The prosecution argues that these actions show willful disregard for human life, with devastating consequences.
With the investigation ongoing, the Public Prosecutor’s Office maintains that the Espaillat siblings’ actions directly led to one of the deadliest structural failures in Dominican history. The court will now decide on the proposed coercive measures as the case advances toward formal charges and trial.
