Accountant faces arms trafficking allegations linked to bar fire investigation
Accountant and fiduciary firm face arms trafficking and money laundering allegations in expanded investigation.
Event / Disaster
Crans-Montana Bar Fire Investigation
Investigation into the January 1, 2026 fire at Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland that killed 41 people and injured 115 others. The fire was caused by candle sparks igniting soundproofing foam. French owners Jacques and Jessica Moretti and 12 other defendants, including municipal officials, face charges of negligent homicide, negligent bodily harm, and negligent fire-setting.
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2026-08-16 to 2026-11-13 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 5 Jun, 05:01 UTC
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What happened
Moretti couple questioned about SMS messages regarding ceiling insulation hazard
Jacques and Jessica Moretti, owners of the Constellation bar, were questioned by prosecutors on June 5 regarding SMS messages exchanged with employees about decorative candles and the acoustic foam on the ceiling. One SMS warning that candle sparkles could ignite the foam and burn down the establishment was characterized by Jessica Moretti as sarcasm.
Devastating fire at Constellation bar in Crans-Montana kills 41 people on New Year's Eve
A fire at the Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, on New Year's Eve killed 41 people and injured 115 others. The fire was caused by sparks from decorative candles igniting acoustic foam insulation on the basement ceiling.
Accountant and fiduciary firm deny allegations of illegal activities
Daniel Donnet-Monay and the fiduciary firm denied all accusations and asserted that their activities were always conducted in full compliance with the law.
Complaints filed against accountant Daniel Donnet-Monay for arms trafficking and money laundering
An attorney representing a victim of the Constellation fire filed complaints against Daniel Donnet-Monay, accountant for the Moretti couple who owned the bar. The complaints, filed in Paris, Bern, and Sion, allege illegal arms trafficking, unauthorized mercenary services in Africa, and large-scale money laundering. The fiduciary firm managed the Moretti accounts and allegedly collaborated with a suspected war criminal.
Fiduciary firm allegedly proposed military equipment to African security forces
The fiduciary firm based in Martigny, Switzerland that managed accounts for the Moretti couple allegedly proposed military equipment to security forces in Africa as part of a large-scale money laundering operation.
14 people under investigation for negligence in Crans-Montana fire
A total of 14 people are under investigation for negligence-related charges including negligent fire-setting, negligent homicide, and negligent grievous bodily harm in connection with the Constellation bar fire. The investigation targets the Moretti couple and several municipal officials and employees.
French bar owners Jacques and Jessica Moretti scheduled for joint questioning
Jacques and Jessica Moretti, French owners of Le Constellation bar, were scheduled to be questioned together on June 5, 2026 by prosecutors in a confrontation format hearing. This hearing would be conducted in the presence of lawyers for all parties, who would also have the opportunity to question the couple about the fire that killed 41 people and injured 115.
Jacques Moretti, bar owner, placed in provisional detention then released on bail
Jacques Moretti, principal owner of Le Constellation bar, was placed in provisional detention on January 9 and subsequently released on January 23 after paying a bail of 200,000 Swiss francs (220,000 euros). He and his wife Jessica were then subjected to constraint measures.
Fourteen people under criminal investigation for Crans-Montana fire
A total of 14 people are under criminal investigation for charges including negligent homicide, negligent bodily harm, and negligent fire-setting. The accused include current and former municipal elected officials and employees. Municipal authorities acknowledged that the bar had not undergone safety and fire inspections since 2019.
Fire at Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana kills 41 people on New Year's Eve
A fire broke out at Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland during New Year's Eve celebrations, resulting in 41 deaths and 115 injuries. The victims were primarily teenagers and young adults, many of them foreign nationals, particularly Italians and French citizens.
Fire at Le Constellation caused by candle sparks igniting soundproofing foam
Investigation findings indicate the fire was triggered by sparks from decorative candles that ignited soundproofing foam located on the ceiling of the basement area of Le Constellation bar.
Previous scheduled hearing for Jacques Moretti postponed due to medical certificates
A scheduled hearing for Jacques Moretti that was planned for April 7, 2026 was postponed after his lawyers filed medical certificates. The couple had already been heard twice previously since the opening of the criminal investigation against them.
Moretti couple questioned in confrontation format with accusers present
Jacques and Jessica Moretti were questioned in a confrontation format on June 5, 2026, where they could be questioned face-to-face by prosecutors and nearly one hundred civil attorneys representing victims' families. This format allows for immediate verification of testimonies between the two suspects.
Jacques Moretti's April interrogation postponed due to depression
A scheduled interrogation of Jacques Moretti on April 7 was postponed due to his depressive state. Medical documents indicated he was experiencing reactive depression following post-traumatic shock from the fire and his incarceration, including sleep difficulties and confusion episodes.
Jacques Moretti placed in provisional detention then released on bail
Jacques Moretti was placed in provisional detention on January 9 following his first interrogation and was released on January 23 after paying a bail of 200,000 Swiss francs. He and his wife were subsequently placed under judicial control measures.
Jacques and Jessica Moretti charged with negligent homicide and arson
Jacques and Jessica Moretti, French nationals and owners of Le Constellation bar, are being prosecuted for negligent homicide, negligent bodily harm, and negligent arson in connection with the fire. They are being questioned again by Swiss prosecutors on June 5, 2026.
Bar owners dispute claim that closed door was an emergency exit
The Moretti couple maintained that a door with a latch leading to the shopping gallery on the ground floor was not an emergency exit and therefore did not need to be open. This remains a disputed point in the investigation.
Surveillance footage shows Jessica Moretti leaving bar quickly during fire
Video surveillance footage from the night of the fire showed Jessica Moretti leaving Le Constellation bar hurriedly without turning around and apparently without alerting anyone. This contradicts her statements during previous interrogations where she claimed to have shouted "fire" before alerting emergency services.
Crans-Montana bar fire kills 41 people and injures 115 others
A fire broke out at Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana during New Year's Eve, killing 41 people and injuring 115 others. The fire was caused by acoustic foam that caught fire in the basement of the establishment.
Crans-Montana municipal president and eleven others face charges in bar fire case
Nicolas Féraud, president of Crans-Montana municipality, and eleven other individuals, primarily municipal agents and advisors, are being prosecuted in connection with the bar fire incident.
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2 alternative perspectives
SMS messages reveal prior knowledge of bar's insulation hazard
SMS messages reveal bar owners had prior knowledge of insulation hazards before the fire.
Fourteen suspects under investigation as Moretti case develops
Fourteen suspects under investigation; Jacques Moretti released on bail pending questioning.
Candle sparks ignited foam, causing Crans-Montana bar inferno
Fire was triggered by candle sparks igniting soundproofing foam used in the bar.
Investigation reveals multiple safety failures in bar's emergency procedures
Investigators found evacuation bottlenecks, disputed emergency protocols, and irregular equipment sourcing at the bar.
Bar owners and officials charged in Crans-Montana fire case
Bar owners and local officials charged following deadly Crans-Montana fire that killed 41 people.