A former employee of a popular nightclub in the Dominican Republic where 236 people died in a roof collapse testified on Monday that the owners were fully aware of the deteriorated structure.
Gregory Adames, a former worker at the Jet Set club in Santo Domingo, told a judge that he had sent photos and videos of the problems to siblings Antonio and Maribel Espaillat, who face charges of involuntary manslaughter and involuntary assault and battery. "They knew because I sent them photos," Adames said. "I sent them videos of all the problems that were there. That shouldn't have happened; not a single person should have died there."
Attorneys representing the victims' families have urged the court to upgrade the charges against the Espaillats to voluntary manslaughter. "We hope that happens," said Jean Carlos Martínez Segura, who represents nine families, in a statement to The Associated Press.
The potential prison sentence for voluntary manslaughter is up to 20 years, compared to two years for involuntary manslaughter. Monday's court hearing is set to continue on Friday, after which a judge will decide whether sufficient evidence exists to proceed to trial. Relatives of the victims have expressed frustration over delays in the judicial process.
Prosecutors have stated that hundreds of pieces of evidence implicate the siblings, who were arrested last June. Miguel Valerio, the attorney for the Espaillats, told reporters after their arrests: "Nobody wanted that to happen."
Prosecutors have also accused the Espaillats of attempting to intimidate or manipulate employees. Antonio Espaillat is known as a powerful businessman who owns upscale entertainment venues and dozens of local radio stations.
The tragedy occurred on April 8, 2025, when hundreds of people, including many high-profile Dominicans, were attending a concert at the nightclub. Among the deceased were singer Rubby Pérez; Nelsy Cruz, the governor of Montecristi province and sister of Major League Baseball All-Star Nelson Cruz; and former MLB pitcher Octavio Dotel. More than 100 people were injured, and rescue workers labored around the clock to pull survivors from the rubble.
