One of the managers of a Swiss ski resort bar where a horrific fire killed 40 people on New Year's Day has a criminal history including convictions for kidnapping and pimping, according to European media reports.
Criminal Past of Bar Co-Owner Revealed
Jacques Moretti, aged in his sixties, is under formal criminal investigation for manslaughter alongside his wife, Jessica, following the blaze at Le Constellation in the exclusive Crans-Montana resort. Multiple French news outlets have now detailed Moretti's previous encounters with the law.
Radio station Europe 1 reported that Moretti was convicted and imprisoned in Savoie, France, approximately two decades ago for offences including fraud, kidnapping, and false imprisonment. Since serving his sentence, he had reportedly maintained a low profile in Crans-Montana, where he owns three businesses: two bars and a restaurant.
Further corroboration came from publications Le Parisien and RTL, which cited legal sources. They described Moretti as "no stranger to the French justice system" and known for historic pimping cases, as well as kidnapping. RTL specified his 2005 imprisonment in Savoie for involvement in such crimes.
Lawyers for Mr Moretti did not initially respond to these revelations. The manager, originally from Corsica, and his wife from Nice, were questioned by Swiss prosecutors last Friday. Both remain at liberty as the investigation continues.
Cause of the Fatal Blaze and Safety Questions
Swiss attorney general Béatrice Pilloud stated the fire likely began with incandescent candles placed in champagne bottles. These were brought too close to the basement ceiling, causing a rapid and widespread conflagration.
This account contradicts Moretti's claim that his bar "followed all safety regulations." It was revealed the venue had been inspected only three times in ten years by health and safety officials, despite local fire prevention codes requiring annual checks for public buildings.
Mr Moretti was not present in Le Constellation on the night of the fire. The couple also face potential charges for bodily harm and arson by negligence.
Family Links to Firefighting and Acts of Heroism
In a tragic irony, Jessica Moretti, who suffered a burned arm in the incident, comes from a family of respected firefighters. Her father, Jean-Paul Maric, is a senior fire chief in Cannes, and her uncle leads a forest fire-fighting committee nearby. A family friend noted that "protecting people from fire is part of the family tradition."
Amidst the devastation, stories of bravery have emerged. Paolo Campolo, a 55-year-old banker, raced to the scene after a distressed call from his daughter. He managed to force open a side door with another man, allowing around ten trapped young people to escape.
"I didn’t think about the pain, the smoke, the danger. I pulled kids out with my bare hands," Campolo told Italian media, describing the scene of burned and begging victims. His actions are credited with saving multiple lives in the tragedy, which also left 119 people injured.
