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 is now at the centre of a manslaughter investigation, with authorities revealing a deeply troubling criminal history.
A Night of Celebration Turns to Tragedy
Jacques Moretti, 49, and his wife Jessica are under criminal investigation for manslaughter by negligence, bodily harm by negligence, and arson by negligence following the blaze at Le Constellation bar in the upmarket Crans-Montana ski resort. The fire, which erupted as revellers welcomed 2026, is believed to have been sparked by party sparklers placed in champagne bottles igniting highly flammable sound insulation foam on the ceiling.
The fast-moving inferno resulted in approximately 40 fatalities and left 119 people with serious burns. Authorities have deemed Mr. Moretti a 'flight risk', leading to his arrest, while his wife must report to police every third day and wear an electronic tag.
A 'Shady' History Uncovered
As the investigation into the fire proceeds, a disturbing portrait of the bar manager's past has emerged. Sébastien Fanti, a lawyer representing injured victims, described Mr. Moretti as 'a shady character whose practices raise questions'.
Court records show that in 2008, Moretti was convicted by a criminal court in Annecy, France, for aggravated pimping ('proxénétisme aggravé'). He was implicated in the 'Hot Rabbit' case, which involved recruiting young French women to work in a Geneva-based massage parlour called the 'Hot Rabbit Rendezvous'.
Investigations revealed he controlled the women's apartment, set their rates, and managed their client numbers, financially benefiting from their exploitation. For these offences, dating back to 2005, he served a four-month prison sentence.
His criminal record extends further. According to legal sources quoted by RTL radio, the Corsican-born man was also imprisoned in Savoie in 2005 for involvement in cases of fraud, kidnapping, and false imprisonment. In 2010, he was reportedly handed a two-year sentence for social security fraud.
From Corsica to the Swiss Alps
The couple, both originally from Corsica, are reported to have 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 its 'festive atmosphere'. Notably, it was one of few venues in the resort that admitted patrons aged 16 and over, with reports suggesting customers as young as 14 were sometimes welcomed.
Questions are now being raised about the couple's finances, including how they afforded the bar's £37,000 monthly rent for seven years before purchasing it outright in 2022, and their £2.7 million property investments in the French Riviera and Lens.
Investigation and Aftermath
The criminal probe is examining multiple factors, including the bar's emergency exits, fire extinguishers, occupancy levels, and the highly flammable materials used in its renovation. Shockingly, authorities have admitted no fire safety inspections had taken place at the bar since 2019.
In a tragic irony, Jessica Moretti's father and uncle are both former firefighters in the south of France. Her father was a senior fire chief in Cannes.
Speaking publicly, Jacques Moretti stated, 'We can neither sleep nor eat, we are all very unwell... Everything had been done according to regulation.' Jessica Moretti has apologised, calling the event 'an unimaginable tragedy'.
The investigation continues as the Swiss community and the families of victims seek answers for one of the country's deadliest modern fires.
