DARK PAST EXPOSED: The owner of the Swiss ski bar where 40 people died reportedly spent time in prison for fraud, kidnapping and false imprisonment — and was allegedly a known pimp

The owner of the Swiss ski bar at the centre of a New Year’s Day inferno that claimed 40 lives and left 119 injured spent time in prison for ‘fraud, kidnapping and false imprisonment’ and was a known pimp, it emerged today.

French national Jacques Moretti, who is in his 60s, faces charges for the inferno at Le Constellation, in Crans–Montana, Switzerland, on New Year’s Day.

His venue became a death trap, after sparklers placed inside champagne bottles ignited the basement ceiling.

On Saturday, multiple media outlets in France and Belgium reported that Mr Moretti, who is originally from the Mediterranean island of Corsica, is well known to the French authorities.

In 2005 he was implicated in a kidnap plot in Savoie, the Alpine department of France close to Crans–Montana, and incarcerated.

Le Parisien reports: ‘According to our information, Jacques Moretti is no stranger to the French justice system.

‘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.’

Quoting its own legal source, RTL, the radio network, reported: ‘The Corsican–born man in his sixties was imprisoned in Savoie in 2005, for involvement in cases of pimping, fraud, kidnapping, and false imprisonment.’

Jacques Moretti (pictured right) now in his sixties was imprisoned in Savoie in 2005, for involvement in cases of pimping, fraud, kidnapping and false imprisonment

Flowers and candles in tribute to the victims are displayed at a makeshift memorial following a fire at ‘Le Constellation’ bar during New Year’s Eve celebrations, killing 40 people and injuring 119

Firefighters of the regional fire and rescue service Sapeur-Pompiers de Sierre gather to pay their respects to the victims of the deadly fire

There was no initial response to the revelations from lawyers representing Mr Moretti.

He was questioned by Swiss prosecutors on Friday, along with his wife, Jessica Moretti, who is in her 40s.

Both are currently at liberty, as they assist the judicial authorities with their enquiries.

They have indicated that they will open an enquiry into ‘arson by negligence’ and ‘manslaughter by negligence’ if ‘criminal liability is established’.

In the meantime, the French couple have not been formally charged, and are free to travel.

Swiss attorney general Beatrice 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 being inspected only ‘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’.

Mr Moretti, who owns three businesses around Crans–Montana, was not in the Constellation on the night of the fire, but his wife was, and suffered a burned arm.

Firefighter of the regional fire and rescue service Sapeur-Pompiers de Sierre reacts as he lays down a candle at a memorial site for the fatal fire

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The couple took over Le Constellation in 2015, and own a home nearby, as well as one on the French Riviera.

Sparklers also caused a fatal fire in Rouen, France, in August 2016, and prison sentences were handed down to the owners.

Fourteen people died at the Cuba Libre when youngsters became trapped in its basement.

Sparklers had ignited the ceiling, and – as at Le Constellation – the blaze spread in seconds.

In October 2019, the bar managers were sentenced to five years in prison, two of them suspended.

Johnny Autin, whose 20–year–old daughter, Megane, died in the Cuba Libre blaze said ‘more inspections and harsher penalties’ are needed.