Jet Set Nightclub Collapse Prompts Arrests, Reforms

Antonio Espaillat and his sister Maribel Espaillat, owners of the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, were arrested after the club’s roof collapsed during a concert on April 8, killing 236 people and injuring more than 180. Prosecutors allege the Espaillats showed immense irresponsibility and negligence by ignoring warnings from an employee about longstanding structural problems with the roof. The siblings are also accused of trying to intimidate or manipulate potential employee witnesses. The disaster claimed the lives of several notable figures, including singer Rubby Pérez and former MLB players, and has resulted in over 50 lawsuits. In response, the Dominican government is drafting new legislation to require structural inspections for private buildings. A government-appointed committee with international experts continues to investigate the cause, while the Espaillat family has pledged to cooperate.