The proprietor of a Swiss bar where a fatal fire erupted on New Year’s Eve has been apprehended and labeled a potential flight risk by law enforcement. Jacques Moretti, 49, and his wife Jessica are now under investigation for criminal manslaughter in connection with the tragic incident at the upscale Crans-Montana ski resort in Switzerland on New Year’s Day. The inferno, believed to have originated from sparklers placed in champagne bottles, claimed the lives of approximately 40 individuals and left 119 others with severe burns. The Morettis are facing charges of manslaughter due to negligence, bodily harm due to negligence, and arson due to negligence.
Allegations suggest that the bar manager, known for a history of criminal convictions, was involved in various illicit activities in the past. Mr. Moretti had previous run-ins with the law, including a conviction for involvement in a sex trafficking case in Geneva. He has faced charges related to pimping, fraud, kidnapping, and false imprisonment in the past. Despite denying some of the accusations, Moretti has a history of legal troubles dating back to the early 2000s. The couple, originally from Corsica, relocated to Switzerland due to Jacques’ troubled legal background. They transformed their establishment, Le Constellation bar, from a modest cafe into an elegant nightclub in 2015.
The ongoing investigation is scrutinizing the responsibilities of the bar owners and the authorities, who confessed to not conducting fire safety inspections at the bar since 2019. Apart from the ill-fated bar, the couple also owns a burger joint and a Corsican-themed restaurant. Despite denying any wrongdoing, the couple is under close scrutiny. Jacques Moretti recently spoke out for the first time since the tragedy, expressing remorse and asserting that they adhered to regulations. The investigation continues to delve into the circumstances surrounding the fire.