Owner of Swiss nightclub where deadly fire broke out was ‘known pimp’ who did time for fraud, kidnapping
One of the owners of the Swiss ski bar where 40 New Year’s Eve revelers were killed in a horrifying fire had an extensive criminal history dating back more than 20 years and even served time in prison, according to European media reports.
Jacques Moretti, a French national in his sixties originally from the island of Corsica, is facing an inquiry in the deadly New Year’s Day blaze at Le Constellation, in which patrons were trapped inside after champagne bottles adorned with sparklers set a ceiling on fire.
Jacques Moretti and his wife, Jessica, have owned the Swiss nightclub where the deadly blaze took place since 2015.X
But it’s far from the first time Moretti has faced criminal charges, according to French newspaper Le Parisien, which reported he’s “no stranger” to the justice system in France.
“He is known for pimping cases dating back some twenty years, as well as for a kidnapping and confinement case. He was imprisoned in Savoie,” Le Parisien wrote.
Investigators said the blaze was ignited by champagne bottles containing sparklers.BFMTV/X
Belgian radio network RTL said his prison stint involved “cases of pimping, fraud, kidnapping and false imprisonment,” citing a legal source.
Moretti and his wife, Jessica, have co-owned the swanky nightclub in Crans-Montana since 2015. They have not been criminally charged as of Sunday and are not incarcerated as they answer authorities’ questions about the deadly inferno in which 40 people were killed and more than 100 were injured.
He was not in the nightclub at the time of the fire, but Jessica suffered burns to her arms.
Swiss prosecutors have said they plan to open an enquiry into “arson by negligence” and “manslaughter by negligence” against the couple if they find the couple criminally liable.
More than 100 people were injured and 40 were killed in the horrifying fire.
“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,” said Swiss attorney general Beatrice Pilloud.
Moretti has stuck to his assertion that the club — which was only inspected three times in 10 years — “followed all safety regulations” as required by Swiss law.
Chaos and Desperation: The Final Moments Inside Le Constellation as Flames Engulfed the New Year’s Celebration
In the early hours of January 1, 2026, the vibrant atmosphere of Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, turned into a nightmare of panic and survival. Packed with hundreds of revelers—many teenagers—celebrating the New Year, the venue became a death trap when a fire erupted around 1:30 a.m., ultimately claiming 40 lives, including that of 15-year-old Charlotte Niddam, and injuring 119 others.
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Eyewitness accounts and video footage paint a harrowing picture of the final hours. The blaze is believed to have started when sparklers attached to champagne bottles—held aloft in celebration—ignited flammable material on the basement ceiling, triggering a rapid “flashover” where combustible gases exploded violently. Survivors described initial confusion: some thought the flames were part of the festivities or a joke, with music still playing as a young man attempted to extinguish early licks of fire on the roof.
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As the ceiling erupted, thick black smoke filled the space, visibility plummeted, and panic set in. People surged toward the narrow staircase leading from the basement nightclub to the exit, creating a deadly crush. Videos show crowds frantically pushing upward, breaking windows in desperation for air. One survivor recounted hiding from a “wall of heat,” while others spoke of trampling and suffocation in the chaos. Charlotte Niddam, a bright teenager with triple Israeli-French-British citizenship who had been babysitting in the resort, was among those unable to escape. Her family confirmed her tragic passing days later, as identification efforts relied on dental records due to severe burns.
The bar’s owners, French couple Jacques and Jessica Moretti (of Corsican origin), have come under intense scrutiny. Jacques Moretti, reportedly in his 60s, was not present at Le Constellation that night—he was working at one of their other establishments—while Jessica suffered burns to her arm. The couple, who renovated and reopened the bar in 2015 after it had been abandoned, also own Le Senso (a burger restaurant in Crans-Montana) and Le Vieux Chalet (a Corsican inn in nearby Lens). Friends describe them as hardworking restaurateurs who built a successful nightlife spot popular for its affordability and accessibility to younger crowds.
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Jacques Moretti defended the venue’s safety in initial statements, telling media it had been inspected “three times in 10 years” and “everything was done according to the rules.” However, on January 3, 2026, Swiss prosecutors opened a criminal investigation against both owners on suspicion of negligent homicide, negligent bodily harm, and arson by negligence. Focus areas include renovations, fire-extinguishing systems, escape routes (potentially narrowed or insufficient), ceiling materials (possibly non-compliant foam), and whether the venue was overcrowded or allowed underage entry without proper checks.
Recent reports from outlets like the Daily Mail and Le Parisien have uncovered details about Jacques Moretti’s past. French judicial records indicate he has a criminal history, including convictions or involvement in cases of pimping (proxénétisme) dating back decades, as well as fraud, kidnapping, and false imprisonment around 2005 in the Savoie region, leading to imprisonment. Described in some reports as a “known pimp” and “notorious” figure in certain circles, these allegations stem from pre-Switzerland life. No verified sources confirm any direct link to his current businesses or the fire incident itself.
Claims circulating online—that the owner stood near the counter calmly observing the chaos, leaving firefighters “speechless,” or took specific actions (or inactions) that exacerbated the tragedy—remain unverified in reputable reporting as of January 5, 2026. Since Jacques Moretti was absent and Jessica was injured while presumably inside, such accounts may stem from misinformation or confusion with staff behavior. In a hypothetical scenario, if an owner or manager had remained passive amid the panic—perhaps due to shock or misjudgment—it could fuel perceptions of negligence, but no eyewitness statements in major outlets substantiate this. Firefighters and rescuers have been praised for their rapid response, deploying 150 personnel, helicopters, and ambulances, though the intensity overwhelmed initial efforts.
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The aftermath has gripped Crans-Montana in grief. Makeshift memorials with flowers, candles, and messages sprung up outside the sealed-off site, drawing silent marches and vigils. Half the victims were under 18, many from nearby regions or holidaying families, underscoring the bar’s appeal to youth. National mourning was declared, with international condolences pouring in.
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This disaster highlights risks in nightlife venues using indoor pyrotechnics like sparklers, especially in older or renovated buildings. As the investigation continues—potentially leading to prosecutions—it serves as a call for stricter Alpine-wide safety reviews. For families like Charlotte Niddam’s, the pain endures, a stark reminder of how quickly celebration can turn to catastrophe.
