The proprietor of the Swiss bar engulfed in a fatal inferno on New Year’s Eve has been taken into custody and labeled a “flight risk” by law enforcement. Jacques Moretti, 49, and his wife Jessica are now part of a criminal manslaughter inquiry following a tragic event at Switzerland’s upscale Crans-Montana ski resort on New Year’s Day. A devastating fire erupted as partygoers welcomed the arrival of 2026, reportedly ignited by sparklers placed inside champagne bottles.
Regrettably, around 40 individuals perished in the fire that ravaged the bar, while 119 people sustained severe burns. The Morettis are facing criminal investigations for manslaughter due to negligence, bodily harm due to negligence, and arson due to negligence.
Allegations suggest that the manager of the ill-fated Le Constellation bar has a history of criminal convictions. He was purportedly convicted of involvement in illegal activities previously, including pimping in Annecy, southern France, in 2008. Mr. Moretti had also served time in a French prison related to the ‘Hot Rabbit’ sex worker case in the southeast of France. Sébastien Fanti, the legal representative for the fire victims still hospitalized, described Mr. Moretti as a dubious figure with questionable practices.
Reported by Le Parisien, Mr. Moretti was involved in recruiting young French women as sex workers for a Geneva-based massage parlor named ‘Hot Rabbit Rendezvous’. Swiss authorities raided this establishment in 2008 following a tip-off from French counterparts.
Accusations of various criminal activities spanning two decades, including pimping, fraud, kidnapping, and false imprisonment, have been linked to Moretti. Despite denying certain charges and claiming compliance with Swiss laws, he was sentenced for inciting prostitution and social security fraud in separate incidents.
The couple, originally from Corsica, reportedly relocated to Switzerland due to Jacques’ troubled legal past. They renovated and operated the bar, described as an elegant space with a lively ambiance, since 2015. The establishment was known for admitting younger patrons compared to other bars in the ski resort.
Mr. Moretti, referred to as ‘Le Corse’ by locals, was recognized for his extravagant lifestyle in the area. The couple’s extensive property investments and high-profile lifestyle have raised questions about their financial activities.
Investigators suspect the fire started in the bar’s basement due to the close proximity of champagne bottles with sparklers to flammable ceiling materials. The ongoing inquiry will scrutinize the responsibilities of the bar owners and authorities, who had not conducted fire safety inspections at the bar since 2019.
Despite denying any wrongdoing, the couple faces legal constraints following the tragic incident. In a public statement, Mr. Moretti expressed distress over the situation and assured cooperation with the investigation. Authorities continue to probe the circumstances surrounding the fatal blaze at the Crans-Montana resort.