The owner of a Swiss ski bar where a horrific New Year's Eve fire claimed 40 lives is at the centre of a criminal manslaughter investigation, with court records revealing his past conviction for pimping in a case linked to a Geneva massage parlour called the 'Hot Rabbit'.
A Past Conviction Comes to Light
Jacques Moretti, 49, and his wife Jessica, 40, who owned the Le Constellation bar in the upscale resort of Crans-Montana, are under investigation for 'manslaughter by negligence' and 'causing bodily harm and arson'. The tragedy unfolded when partygoers were overcome by flames and toxic smoke after the ceiling was set alight by sparklers stuffed into champagne bottles.
It has now emerged that Mr Moretti was convicted by a criminal court in Annecy, southern France, in 2008. The case involved recruiting young French women as sex workers for an erotic massage parlour in Geneva named the 'Hot Rabbit Rendezvous'. For inciting prostitution, he received a 12-month prison sentence, with eight months suspended, equating to four months served for offences dating back to 2005.
History of Criminal Allegations
French media reports state that Moretti is known for pimping cases spanning two decades, as well as for a kidnapping and confinement case. National radio network RTL, quoting a legal source, confirmed the Corsican-born man was imprisoned in Savoie in 2005 for involvement in cases of pimping, fraud, kidnapping, and false imprisonment.
The 'Hot Rabbit' parlour, located on Geneva's Rue du Lièvre (Hare Street), was raided by Swiss police in 2008 following a tip-off from French colleagues. At the time of his arrest, Moretti, then 32, denied the charges, admitting only to managing the parlour legally under Swiss law. His lawyer, Annick Hingrez, argued the case was weak and highlighted the voluntary participation of the women recruited.
Safety Failures and Ongoing Investigation
Swiss authorities believe the deadly fire started when champagne bottle sparklers ignited sound-insulating foam on the basement ceiling. Mayor Nicolas Feraud has admitted the bar had not undergone a legally required annual safety inspection since 2019, expressing profound regret and accepting responsibility.
Despite owning the bar since 2015, Mr Moretti was not present on the night of the fire. His wife Jessica was inside and suffered burns to her arm. The couple, currently at liberty while assisting enquiries, also own two other local establishments: Le Senso bar-restaurant and Le Vieux-Chalet.
The aftermath of the blaze has been devastating. Police have identified all 116 injured, with 83 still hospitalised. The victims include nationals from across Europe and beyond. Identifying the 40 deceased, the youngest aged 14, was challenging due to the severity of burns, requiring DNA samples from families.
Swiss attorney general Béatrice Pilloud stated the evidence points to the sparklers causing a rapid conflagration. With the couple facing trial and the community in mourning, the tragedy has exposed a grim link between a past criminal enterprise and a catastrophic failure in public safety.
