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Owner of Swiss bar in deadly NYE fire ‘was a pimp and fraudster who served time in jail’ as he and wife quizzed by cops
The bar-owner alleged to be a pimp reportedly narrowed a fire escape staircase during a renovation
ONE of the owners of the Swiss bar where a blaze killed 40 people was allegedly a pimp who served time in jail – before his dodgy DIY turned Le Constellation into a death trap.
Jacques Moretti, 49, reportedly had an extensive criminal history including convictions for “fraud, kidnapping and false imprisonment.”
Jacques Moretti, 49, bought the bar with his 40-year-old wife Jessica Moretti in 2015Credit: X
The violent blaze broke out in the early hours of New Year’s Day, killing 40 at the alpine bar
Fire escape at Le Constellation, after the staircase was narrowed in a renovation
Moretti owned the bar with his 40-year-old wife Jessica Moretti, and the couple are under investigation for manslaughter after a deadly blaze killed 40 and injured 115 in the early hours of New Year’s Day.
But Jacques Moretti is “is no stranger” to the justice system, Le Parisien reported, claiming the bar owner is a known pimp who had served time in prison in the southeast of France.
It stated: “He is known for pimping cases dating back some twenty years, as well as for a kidnapping and confinement case.”
Quoting its own legal source, RTL, a national radio network, said: “The Corsican-born man in his sixties was imprisoned in Savoie in 2005, for involvement in cases of pimping, fraud, kidnapping, and false imprisonment.”
Europe 1 reported that Moretti was “convicted and imprisoned in Savoie, France, about twenty years ago for fraud, kidnapping, and false imprisonment”.
The radio station continued: “Since then, he has supposedly kept a low profile.
“Here in Crans-Montana, he owns three businesses – two bars, including Le Constellation, and a restaurant, Le Vieux Chalet, which he completely renovated last year.”
There was no initial response to the revelations from lawyers representing Mr Moretti, who is is originally from Ghisonaccia, on the Mediterranean island of Corsica.
The 49-year-old pimp was reportedly behind a DIY reno that narrowed the fire escape stairs in the basement of Le Constellation.
The staircase, said to be the only way out of the alpine bar’s basement club, was almost halved in width during a renovation ten years ago, BILD reported.
The German paper reported that bar owner Jacques Moretti, 49, was behind the change, made as he renovated his ski resort bar with friends.
On the night of the “flashover” fire, no more than three people could stand alongside each other on the stairs at any one time, significantly slowing their escape.
Survivors described a crush to escape the crowded club basement, where a huge fire raged.
Attorney General Beatrice Pilloud from the canton of Valais said: “It was indeed a narrow staircase.
“We need to check whether all safety regulations were followed.”
The photos also show soundproofing mats being attached to the ceiling – it was these mats which caught fire as around 200 revellers celebrated the new year at the alpine bar.
Jessica Moretti is under criminal investigation for manslaughter alongside her husband, the alleged pimp, for the blaze at Le Constellation.
They also are also under investigation for “bodily harm and arson by negligence,” according to Swiss state prosecutors.
A preliminary investigation attributed the fire to sparklers which were placed inside champagne bottles lighting up the basement ceiling.
Ms Moretti, who suffered a burned arm in the blaze, is the daughter of Jean-Paul Maric, a senior fire chief in Cannes, on the French Riviera, Nice Matin reported on Sunday.
And her uncle is Jean-Pierre Maric, president of the nearby Auribeau-sur-Siagne forest fire-fighting committee.
A family friend of Ms Moretti, whose full name is Jessica Anne Jeanne Maric Moretti, said on Sunday: “Her father and other relatives are highly respected fire-fighters in the south of France. Protecting people from fire is part of the family tradition.”
A digger at the top of the stairs during the renovation at Moretti’s bar
DIY renovation work underway at the bar in Crans-Montana with soundproofing visibleCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
The Morettis were questioned by Swiss prosecutors on Friday, and both are currently at liberty, as they assist the judicial authorities with their enquiries.
Swiss attorney general Béatrice Pilloud said: “Everything suggests that the fire started with incandescent candles placed in champagne bottles, which were brought too close to the ceiling, causing a rapid and widespread conflagration.”
Mr Moretti has claimed his bar “followed all safety regulations”, despite only being inspected “three times in ten years” by health and safety officials.
Article 8 of the local fire prevention code states that inspections must take place “every year in buildings open to the public or presenting special risks”.
It comes as two ex-employees of the bar claimed that fire extinguishers were often locked away and the emergency exit was also often bolted shut.
Known only as Maxime and Sarah, the former staff told BFM that fire safety training at Le Constellation had been “dicey”, as more victims of the deadly fire were named.
49-year-old pimp Moretti was reportedly behind a DIY reno that narrowed the fire escape stairs
Sparklers in Champagne bottles are thought to have set fire to ceiling soundproofingCredit: BFM/Twitter
The fire killed 40 partygoers at the ski resort bar owned by the MorettisCredit: Ferdinand Du Beaudiez
Unverified Claims Surface Amid Ongoing Probe into Crans-Montana Fire Tragedy
As Switzerland mourns the 40 lives lost in the devastating New Year’s Eve fire at Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, unconfirmed reports and leaked details continue to circulate, fueling public outrage and speculation. Official investigations maintain that the blaze was accidentally ignited by celebratory sparklers on champagne bottles held too close to the flammable ceiling foam, leading to a rapid flashover. However, anonymous sources and online discussions have raised unsubstantiated allegations of a deliberately delayed fire alarm, jammed doors hindering rescue efforts, and a shocking confession from the bar owner—claims that authorities have not corroborated as of January 6, 2026.
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The fire erupted around 1:30 a.m. on January 1 in the basement nightclub of the popular venue, packed with hundreds of mostly young revelers, including many teenagers. Swiss prosecutors, led by Valais canton attorney general Béatrice Pilloud, have consistently pointed to evidence from videos, photos, and witness statements supporting the sparkler ignition theory. No official logs or reports mention any deliberate delay in the fire alarm system, which experts note would typically activate automatically upon detecting smoke or heat. Forensic analysis by the Zurich Institute continues, with terrorism and arson ruled out early on.
Survivor accounts describe chaotic evacuation attempts, with crowds bottlenecking at the narrow main staircase. Some witnesses have reported difficulties with secondary exits, potentially blocked by furniture or jammed during the panic, contributing to the tragedy. Firefighters arrived promptly but faced intense flames and smoke, requiring forceful entry in some cases. However, no verified evidence supports claims of intentional interference with alarms or doors. The criminal probe focuses on potential negligence, including compliance with fire codes for materials, pyrotechnics, and escape routes.
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The bar’s French owners, Jacques and Jessica Moretti, face investigation for suspected negligent homicide, bodily harm, and causing fire by negligence. Jacques Moretti has publicly stated that the venue complied with all standards, having passed inspections, and expressed profound sorrow. No credible reports detail any “confession” beyond cooperation with authorities. Misinformation, including false images, has spread online, prompting warnings from media and officials to rely on verified sources.
All 40 victims were identified by January 4, many through DNA due to severe burns, with over half being minors. The 119 injured, some critically, received treatment across Europe. Makeshift memorials outside the sealed bar overflow with flowers, candles, and messages, as the community holds vigils and silent marches.
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Switzerland observed national mourning, with flags at half-mast and events canceled. President Guy Parmelin called it one of the country’s worst tragedies. The incident highlights risks of indoor pyrotechnics in venues with low ceilings and synthetic materials, echoing global nightclub disasters.
While leaked claims intensify scrutiny, authorities urge patience as the probe seeks facts for accountability and prevention. In Crans-Montana’s shadowed Alps, grief unites a stunned nation, demanding transparency to honor the lost.
