Fireworks Tragedy and Legal Fallout | Sacramento News

0:00It's September 10th, Sacramento News. Today starts now, AI powered and ready. So, we're talking about that devastating fireworks explosion that went down last year in Esparto. Remember, seven lives were lost on July 1st, 2025. Now, two guys connected to one of the companies there, devastating pyrotechnics have been in court. Jack Lee, who was the operations manager and Gary Chan Jr., whose name is on the company's federal license, were both looking to get out on bail, as they wait for their trials. The defense tried to argue that neither Lee nor Chan were really that deeply involved in the business operations at the site. The judge agreed to some extent, deciding there wasn't enough to hold Chan with out bail. His bail was set at $400,000, though he's still in custody until a hearing next week to sort out how he'll pay it. But for Jack Lee, it was a different story. The judge ruled he's a threat to the public and kept him locked up, denying bail altogether.

1:00Apparently, Lee was seen trying to make deals for fireworks just days after the explosion. And get this, they found a whole lot of explosives, like a thousand pounds, plus black powder and materials for making illegal fireworks at his place. On top of all that, it came out in court that Lee has been using the program for defendants who can't afford a lawyer, but it turns out he's not. Exactly broke. So, there's another hearing coming up to figure out how he's going to cover his legal fees with his own money. It's a heavy situation, with charges like multiple counts of murder hanging over Lee. The legal proceedings are still unfolding, and it's clear there's a lot more to uncover about what really went down at that facility.