Swiss prosecutors add forgery charge in deadly bar fire case

Swiss prosecutors have added document forgery charges against Jessica Moretti, a co-operator of the "Le Constellation" bar in Crans-Montana, where a devastating fire killed 41 people on New Year's Eve. The prosecution alleges Moretti falsified a receipt for the sound-dampening foam that ignited during the incident.

Moretti and her husband, Jacques, are already under investigation for negligent homicide, bodily harm, and arson. Jacques Moretti had previously claimed the flammable foam was purchased from a hardware store before submitting a receipt from an East German supplier to the police.

The couple recently appeared together for a "confrontational" questioning by prosecutors in Sion, a first after being individually interrogated twice. Lawyers for the victims' families expressed concern about potential collusion between the couple and regretted the delay in their joint questioning.

Investigators are also re-examining a 2024 fire at another Moretti-owned establishment, the "Vieux Chalet" restaurant. That fire, initially attributed to a technical fault during renovations, is now under scrutiny due to the ongoing investigation into the "Le Constellation" tragedy.

Additionally, a former employee of the Chermignon municipal building department, who closely oversaw the "Le Constellation" renovations in 2015, has been accused in connection with the fire. The man now works for the municipal building department.