Court imposes bail, travel ban, and regular check-ins on Espaillat siblings

Santo Domingo.- Wilson Camacho, director of the Public Ministry’s Anti-Corruption Office, criticized the court’s decision to impose what he considers a lenient coercive measure on Antonio and Maribel Espaillat, owners of the Jet Set nightclub. The siblings face charges of involuntary manslaughter following the tragic roof collapse at their venue on April 8, which left 236 dead and over 180 injured. Despite the case being declared complex, Judge Fátima Veloz ordered a bail of RD$50 million, periodic court appearances, and a travel ban — measures Camacho believes fail to reflect the gravity of the disaster.

In response, the Espaillat family’s legal team submitted documents showing that financial compensation has already been provided to over 40 victims and relatives, including musicians from Rubby Pérez’s orchestra. Among them is Zulinka Yadhira Pérez, daughter of the late artist, who received official reparations. The defense also asked for the dismissal of preventive detention, claiming there is no risk of flight or obstruction. They challenged allegations of negligence, using messages from a former employee to demonstrate an amicable relationship with the accused.

The Espaillat family maintains that they have acted transparently since the incident. They assert that Antonio Espaillat was not in the country at the time of the collapse and has since cooperated fully. They’ve also preserved structural evidence and hired an international expert for further analysis. As the investigation unfolds, the case continues to stir debate across the Dominican Republic on the adequacy of justice and reparations for one of the country’s deadliest tragedies.