Nightclub Owners Knew Of Problems Before Roof Collapse Killed 236, Employee Testifies

A erstwhile worker astatine a celebrated nightclub where 236 group died successful a tile collapse told a judge Monday that nan owners were afloat alert nan building was deteriorated.

“They knew because I sent them photos,” Gregory Adames said while testifying against siblings Antonio and Maribel Espaillat, who are accused of involuntary manslaughter and involuntary battle and artillery aft the illness astatine nan legendary Jet Set club successful Santo Domingo.

“I sent them videos of each nan problems that were there. That shouldn’t person happened; not a azygous personification should person died there,” Adames said.

Attorneys for nan victim’s families asked successful tribunal for nan siblings to beryllium accused of voluntary manslaughter.

“We dream that happens,” Jean Carlos Martínez Segura, who represents 9 families, told The Associated Press.

The imaginable situation condemnation is up to 20 years for voluntary manslaughter but is 2 years for involuntary manslaughter.

Monday’s tribunal proceeding is expected to proceed Friday, pinch a judge yet deciding whether there’s capable evidence to clasp a trial. Relatives of nan victims person complained astir delays and slow judicial proceedings.

Prosecutors person said hundreds of pieces of grounds implicate nan siblings, who were arrested past June.

Miguel Valerio, nan Espaillats’ attorney, told reporters aft their arrests: “Nobody wanted that to happen.”

Prosecutors person accused nan Espaillats of trying to intimidate aliases manipulate employees. Antonio Espaillat is considered a powerful businessman who owns upscale intermezo centers and dozens of section power stations.

Hundreds of group including galore high-profile Dominicans were astatine nan nightclub for a performance connected April 8, 2025, erstwhile nan tile collapsed.

Those who died included vocalist Rubby Pérez; Nelsy Cruz, nan politician of Montecristi state and sister of Major League Baseball All-Star Nelson Cruz; and erstwhile MLB pitcher Octavio Dotel. More than 100 group were injured successful nan illness and rescuers worked astir nan timepiece to propulsion retired survivors.