The tragic collapse of the Jet Set club’s roof in Santo Domingo a year ago continues to echo through the Dominican Republic. As court proceedings unfold, new testimonies shed light on the incident that resulted in 236 deaths.
In a court hearing on Monday, former employee Gregory Adames revealed that the club’s owners, Antonio and Maribel Espaillat, were allegedly aware of the building’s compromised state prior to the disaster. Adames testified, “They knew because I sent them photos, I sent them videos of all the problems that were there. That shouldn’t have happened; not a single person should have died there.”
The Espaillat siblings face charges of involuntary manslaughter and involuntary assault and battery. However, the attorneys representing the victims’ families are urging the court to consider charges of voluntary manslaughter, a conviction which could carry a prison sentence of up to 20 years, compared to two years for involuntary manslaughter. Jean Carlos Martínez Segura, representing nine families, expressed hope for this outcome, as reported by The Associated Press.
The legal process, which began last June with the siblings’ arrest, faces criticism from victims’ relatives for its sluggish pace. Nevertheless, the court is scheduled to reconvene on Friday to determine whether sufficient evidence exists to proceed to trial. For more information on the victims’ families’ perspectives, visit this link.
Prosecutors argue that the evidence overwhelmingly implicates the Espaillats, who have been accused of attempting to intimidate or manipulate employees. Miguel Valerio, the attorney for the Espaillats, stated post-arrest, “Nobody wanted that to happen.” Antonio Espaillat is a notable figure in the entertainment industry, owning numerous upscale venues and radio stations across the country.
The incident, which occurred on April 8, 2025, during a concert, claimed the lives of several prominent figures, including singer Rubby Pérez, Nelsy Cruz—governor of Montecristi and sister of MLB All-Star Nelson Cruz, and former MLB pitcher Octavio Dotel. Over 100 individuals sustained injuries, and emergency services tirelessly worked to rescue survivors. For a detailed account of the incident, click here.
