Court declares Morettis’ Au Vieux Chalet bankrupt

The Au Vieux Chalet restaurant in Lens, run by Jessica and Jacques Moretti, has been declared bankrupt, SRF reported. The District Court of Sierre issued the ruling on November 3, according to a notice in the Valais official gazette. The court confirmed the decision to Keystone-SDA after Rhône FM first reported it.

Authorities closed all three venues run by the couple after the January 1 fire disaster, which killed 41 people and injured 115. The fire destroyed Le Constellation, a bar in Crans-Montana that the Morettis took over in 2015. They also operated Le Senso restaurant in Crans-Montana, opened in 2020, and Au Vieux Chalet, which opened in late 2023.

The Valais public prosecutor’s office is investigating Jessica and Jacques Moretti on suspicion of negligent homicide, negligent bodily injury and negligently causing a fire. Jessica Moretti is also accused of document forgery. Prosecutors questioned the couple again the previous week, and the investigation is continuing.

Jacques Moretti was initially held in pre-trial detention for two weeks after the disaster. Since mid-August, he has been detained again on suspicion of domestic violence against his wife.

The investigation into the fire involves 17 people, including current and former Crans-Montana municipal officials. They are suspected of offences including failures in safety inspections, and all are being investigated for negligent homicide, negligent bodily injury and negligent arson.