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The provincial liquor board has turned down a request from the owners of the Montreal Observation Wheel to serve alcohol at their restaurant in the Old Port, based on concerns the Montreal police have with one of the restaurant’s suppliers, a man with ties to the Montreal Mafia.

The owners of the Grande Roue de Montréal Hospitalité, the ferris wheel that has become a popular tourist attraction and part of Montreal’s skyline since it was opened in 2017 as part of the city’s 375th anniversary, recently requested a liquor permit for the bistro they built next to it. Police were opposed to the permit being granted because of the frequent presence of Montreal businessman Steve Vogl at the site. The Régie des Alcools, des courses et des jeux held a series of hearings on the matter in January and February and, on Thursday, released its decision rejecting the request.

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During the hearings, the Montreal police said it believed Vogl is a part owner of the Observation Wheel while its owners — president Jeff Jorgensen and his father, Niels — insisted he is only a supplier to them. They also said they would continue doing business with Vogl despite the serious allegations made by the police about his ties to the Montreal Mafia.