The owner of a Swiss bar that became the scene of a horrific New Year's Eve fire, claiming around 40 lives, has been arrested and identified as a significant flight risk by authorities. The blaze, which also left 119 people with serious burns, has unmasked the troubled criminal history of bar manager Jacques Moretti.
A Deadly Celebration and a Criminal Investigation
Jacques Moretti, 49, and his wife Jessica now face a criminal manslaughter investigation following the fire at the upmarket Crans-Montana ski resort on 1 January 2026. The inferno at Le Constellation bar is believed to have been sparked by party sparklers placed in champagne bottles, which ignited highly flammable sound insulation foam on the ceiling.
Prosecutors are investigating the couple for manslaughter by negligence, bodily harm by negligence, and arson by negligence. The investigation will also scrutinise why no fire safety inspections had taken place at the venue since 2019.
A History of Crime: Pimping, Kidnapping and Fraud
As the investigation unfolds, a deeply troubling portrait of Jacques Moretti's past has emerged. He is alleged to have a string of criminal convictions, including a significant case of aggravated pimping.
In 2008, a criminal court in Annecy, southern France, convicted Moretti for his role in the 'Hot Rabbit' sex worker case. He was found to have recruited young French women to work in a Geneva-based massage parlour, Hot Rabbit Rendezvous. The court heard he controlled their rates, client numbers, and financially benefited from their exploitation.
For this, he was sentenced to 12 months in prison, with eight suspended. Legal sources also report previous imprisonment in 2005 in Savoie for involvement in cases of pimping, fraud, kidnapping, and false imprisonment. In 2010, he was allegedly handed a further two-year sentence for social security fraud.
Sébastien Fanti, a lawyer for victims, summarised the perception, stating: "He's a shady character whose practices raise questions."
Building a New Life in Switzerland
Insiders suggest the Corsican-born couple moved to Switzerland due to Jacques' problematic legal history in France. "They don't ask too many questions in Switzerland. He was often in serious trouble in France, so Switzerland was an obvious place to set up," a source told the Daily Mail.
They opened Le Constellation bar in December 2015, renovating it from a cafe into a glamorous nightclub known for admitting patrons as young as 14, below the typical 18+ age limit. Moretti, nicknamed 'Le Corse' by locals, cut a conspicuous figure, driving a Bentley. The couple's financial dealings, including paying £37,000 monthly rent before buying the bar outright, have raised eyebrows.
Jessica Moretti, a former model and business graduate, is the daughter and niece of respected firefighters in southern France—an ironic twist given the circumstances. She was reportedly seen fleeing the blaze clutching the cash register.
Aftermath and Ongoing Scrutiny
Since the tragedy, the couple have been placed under strict conditions. Jessica must report to police every third day and wear an electronic tag. Both have expressed devastation. Jacques Moretti told Swiss media, "We can neither sleep nor eat, we are all very unwell... Everything had been done according to regulation."
Jessica stated, "It's an unimaginable tragedy... I want to apologise. My thoughts are constantly with the victims." The couple deny any wrongdoing.
The investigation continues, examining the materials used in the bar, emergency exits, and occupancy levels on that fatal night. The story of Le Constellation has evolved from a tragic accident to a complex tale of alleged negligence, shadowed by a past the owner tried to leave behind.
