started · updated
Espaillat siblings face RD$500 million asset freeze in Jet Set collapse trial
The judicial proceedings against Antonio and Maribel Espaillat regarding the Jet Set nightclub roof collapse continue in the Dominican Republic. The Court of Appeals has confirmed a RD$500 million asset freeze against the siblings, which includes conservatory liens, retentive liens, and judicial mortgages. This measure aims to guarantee potential reparations for the victims of the April 8, 2025, tragedy, which resulted in 236 deaths and over 180 injuries.
During recent testimonial hearings, Leonardo de Jesús Reyes Madera, director of ONESVIE, testified that the structure failed due to extreme overloading. He stated that the roof, originally designed to support approximately 160 pounds per square meter, was carrying more than 650 pounds per square meter. This weight was attributed to the installation of numerous air conditioning units, water tanks, and other heavy equipment added between 2011 and 2025.
The defense has challenged the technical validity of the structural reports, specifically questioning the consistency of the number of beams identified in physical surveys versus those used in digital modeling. Despite these challenges, the court rejected the defense's request to substitute the asset freeze with a bond, maintaining the current financial restrictions as a precautionary measure.
Entities
Antonio Espaillat · Antonio Espaillat López · Corte de Apelación del Distrito Nacional · Jet Set · Jet Set · Leonardo de Jesús Reyes Madera · Maribel Espaillat · Ministério Público · National District Court of Appeal · Onesvie
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 5 SOURCES] The court confirmed the RD$500 million asset freeze against Antonio and Maribel Espaillat. impactobarahonero.com.do · mediodigitalrd.com · www.riotimesonline.com · surinformard.com.do · noticialibre.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] The court rejected the defense's request to substitute the asset freeze and judicial mortgages with a bond. impactobarahonero.com.do · noticialibre.com · mediodigitalrd.com · surinformard.com.do
- [● 13 SOURCES] The tragedy resulted in 236 deaths and more than 180 injuries. mediodigitalrd.com · elpaisdominicano.do · surinformard.com.do · azuanoticias.com · impactobarahonero.com.do · +6 more
- [● 5 SOURCES] The asset freeze includes conservatory liens, retentive liens, and judicial mortgages. impactobarahonero.com.do · mediodigitalrd.com · surinformard.com.do · www.riotimesonline.com · noticialibre.com
- [● 13 SOURCES] Engineer Leonardo de Jesús Reyes Madera testified that the load on the roof was five times the original structural capacity. elpaisdominicano.do · infoenn.com · pasoapaso.com.do · www.paginaextra.com · almomento.net · +5 more
- [● 7 SOURCES] The Public Ministry has charged the Espaillat siblings with involuntary manslaughter. mediodigitalrd.com · www.paginaextra.com · almomento.net · ciudadoriental.com · primermomento.com
- [● 11 SOURCES] The Jet Set nightclub roof collapse occurred on April 8, 2025. mediodigitalrd.com · elpaisdominicano.do · azuanoticias.com · www.paginaextra.com · almomento.net · +4 more
- [● 12 SOURCES] The trial is being held in the National District of the Dominican Republic. impactobarahonero.com.do · mediodigitalrd.com · elpaisdominicano.do · surinformard.com.do · www.riotimesonline.com · +5 more
- [● 3 SOURCES] The roof was overloaded with equipment including air conditioning units and water tanks. ciudadoriental.com · primermomento.com · almomento.net