Judge Raymundo Mejía, presiding over the First Instruction Court of the National District, has ordered the formal summoning of the mother of businessman Antonio Espaillat, along with the City Council of the National District (ADN) and the Ministry of Public Works (MOPC), as part of the ongoing preliminary hearing regarding the structural collapse at the Jet Set Club.
The tragedy resulted in 236 fatalities and left more than 100 people injured.
The court ruled that Ana Grecia López, mother of defendants Antonio and Maribel Espaillat, must be formally notified to answer for alleged civil liability. Similarly, the ADN and MOPC have been brought into the case to determine the extent of state and municipal responsibility in the disaster.
Defense attorney Miguel Valerio, representing the Espaillat siblings, informed the court that López is 85 years old, suffers from Alzheimer’s disease, and currently resides in Florida, United States. Valerio provided the court with her international address to ensure legal notifications comply with procedural requirements.
Procedural logistics and transparency
To manage the complexity of the case and the high volume of plaintiffs, Judge Mejía announced a specialized hearing schedule for hearing days on every Monday and Friday, with the next date set for 6 April 2026. The judge has requested authorization from the Judiciary to broadcast the preliminary hearing live from the First Collegiate Courtroom to ensure public transparency.
“The court has a duty to guarantee that all parties, including claims against the City Council and the State, are duly summoned,” stated Magistrate Mejía, emphasizing that the magnitude of the case demands absolute clarity.
Legal stakes
During the most recent session, five new plaintiffs filed formal charges against the Espaillat siblings. The defendants currently face charges of involuntary manslaughter and involuntary physical injury (assault and battery).
Judge Mejía struck a firm tone regarding the potential for delays, asserting that while the number of civil actors complicates the proceedings, he will not allow the trial to become a “procedural labyrinth.” He urged all parties to be prepared to prove their arguments on the stand starting in April.
The technical report
The final technical report on the Jet Set Club tragedy followed the investigation under the National Office for Seismic Assessment and Vulnerability (Onesvie).
The consensus among structural engineers who reviewed the official findings points to a combination of factors, but the primary cause was identified as a catastrophic structural overload.
Key findings of the final report
• Roof overload: The report indicates that the roof slab was supporting approximately 21% more weight than its nominal capacity. This was attributed to four layers of fine aggregate (fill material) totaling 37.5 cm in thickness, likely accumulated from multiple past renovations.
• Column removal: Investigators confirmed that a critical structural column had been removed during previous modifications to the building. This severely compromised the structure’s ability to support vertical loads and provide lateral rigidity.
• Steel deterioration: Prolonged water leaks had caused progressive corrosion of the reinforcing steel, further weakening the structural integrity of the roof before the collapse.
• Heavy machinery: The weight of heavy air conditioning and sound equipment on the inadequately supported roof was also cited as a contributing factor to the sudden failure during the performance.
Read more in Spanish:
Listin Diario
17 March 2026