An iconic nightclub owner in the Dominican Republic, where a tragic roof collapse occurred in April resulting in 236 fatalities, was arrested Thursday alongside his sister.
Antonio Espaillat and Maribel Espaillat have not been charged in the case, although authorities have 48 hours to present any charges before a judge.
The Attorney General’s Office of the Dominican Republic stated, “The two defendants were gravely irresponsible and negligent, failing to take necessary actions to prevent the roof’s collapse at the club, which led to the loss of 236 lives and over 180 injuries.”
Prosecutors accused the Espaillats of trying to intimidate or manipulate company employees, adding that they could serve as witnesses in the case.
An attorney for the Espaillats could not be immediately reached for comment.
The Espaillats were arrested after being interrogated for several hours.
A government-appointed committee that includes international experts is still investigating what caused the roof to collapse.
Crews worked for 53 hours nonstop after arriving on the scene in Santo Domingo shortly after midnight on April 8, rescuing 189 survivors.
The disaster claimed the life of cherished singer Rubby Pérez, who was performing at the time, as well as Nelsy Cruz, the governor of Montecristi province and sister to Nelson Cruz, a notable seven-time Major League Baseball All-Star.
Also killed was former MLB pitcher Octavio Dotel, who was pulled from the debris but died at a hospital, and Dominican baseball player Tony Enrique Blanco Cabrera.
Other victims include a retired U.N. official, New York-based fashion designer Martín Polanco, an Army captain who left behind four young girls, and three employees at Grupo Popular, a financial services company, including the president of AFP Popular Bank and his wife.
The club, which had operated for nearly five decades, was known for its Monday night merengue parties that attracted international celebrities and high-profile Dominicans.
