Antonio Espaillat and his sister Maribel Espaillat, owners of the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, were arrested on June 12 following the tragic roof collapse that killed 236 people and injured over 180 others in April. The Dominican Republic Attorney General’s Office stated that the siblings displayed “immense irresponsibility and negligence” for failing to prevent the disaster.
The collapse occurred during a performance by famed merengue singer Rubby Pérez on April 8, with approximately 515 attendees present. The tragedy also claimed the lives of former MLB players Octavio Dotel and Tony Blanco, as well as Nelsy Cruz, governor of Montecristi province and sister of ex-MLB star Nelson Cruz.
Antonio and Maribel inherited Jet Set from their mother, who founded the club 50 years ago. Despite Antonio’s claim that there was no prior warning of structural issues, he acknowledged longstanding water leakage problems linked to the club’s air conditioning system.
During an interview in April, Antonio expressed his sorrow and vowed to cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation. Dominican President Luis Abinader offered condolences and affirmed that all relief agencies are actively assisting families affected by the tragedy.
Prosecutors highlighted Antonio as a prominent businessman owning multiple entertainment venues and radio stations in the country. He and Maribel face charges as authorities prepare to bring formal accusations within 48 hours.
