Authorities in the Dominican Republic arrested and charged Antonio Espaillat, The Owner of the Long-Running Santo Domingo Nightclub Jet Set, With Involuntary Homicide Following A Catastrophic Roof Collapse That Killed 236 People, The New York Times Reports
The Chages Were Filled On June 12th, Roughly Two Months After The April 8th Tragedy, Which Occurred During A Performance By Merengue Artist Rubby Pérez. Espaillat’s Sister, Maribel Espaillat, who co-managed the veue, was also indicated. The Espaillats reported Co-Owned The Venue Along With their Mother.
LOCAL PROSECUORS ALLEGE THAT ANTONIO ESPAILLAT IGGORED URGENT WARNINGS FROM AN EMPLOYEE ABOUT THE VENUE’S STRUCTURAL ISSUES IN THE HOUND LEADING UP TO THE SHOW. The Employee Had Voiced Serious Concerns About The Rouf’s Condition and Advised Canceling The Event AltoGether, But that Request Was Dismisssed, According To NYT.
In a statement from the dominican republic’s attorney general’s office, prosecutors alleged that “Both Defandants Displayed immense irresponsibility and negligence by failing to Physically intervene to prevent the club’s roof from collapsing, as it ultimately did, causing 236 More than 180 injuries. ”
The Office Has Also reported the Spanish family of attempting to influence or intimidate potential Witnesses, though no specifics have Been disc ined.
The Rouf’s Collapse is now the Subject of Multiple Ongoing Lawsuits and A Large-Scale Criminal Investigation. Officials Say An Engineering Report on The Structural Failure Has Been Completed, Though ITS Findings Have Not Yet Been Released Publicly at Press Time.
