The Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux has just suspended, for a period of 25 days, the alcohol sales permits for the Prima Luna restaurant, located on Henri-Bourassa Boulevard, in the northeast of Montreal.
On a few occasions, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, SPVM police officers observed activities in the establishment, even though it had to be closed or only offer take-out meals, under the health measures put in place. in place to fight the coronavirus.
During the same period, the police also observed the presence of several individuals linked to organized crime in the restaurant on at least three occasions, including on May 29, 2021, when 35 people were seated to celebrate the anniversary of the Hells Angels of Montreal , Michel Lamontagne.
In addition to the latter, the patrollers notably noted the presence, on this occasion, of the influential Hells Angels Martin Robert and Stéphane Plouffe, of an individual linked to the mafia, Marco Pizzi, and of Francesco Del Balso, murdered by bullets on June 5 last.
A revolver loaded with five .38 caliber bullets was also found in the restaurant by police that day. Lamontagne was accused but benefited from a stay of proceedings.
PHOTO FILED IN FRONT OF THE RACJ
The revolver loaded with five bullets found in a storage room at the Prima Luna restaurant on May 29, 2021.
“The evidence presented by the parties leads the Court to conclude that the holder not only exploited her license in such a way as to endanger public safety, but also in such a way as to harm public peace.”
“Regarding the presence of a criminalized clientele or belonging to organized crime in the holder’s establishment, during three events, the Court considers that these are serious breaches of public peace,” concludes the manager Maude Lajoie in a detailed 60-page decision of which La Presse obtained a copy.
Articles of the law contested
The RACJ Litigation Office requested a suspension of alcohol licenses for a period of 45 days and the restaurant’s lawyer, a suspension of one day.
It also contested the constitutionality of certain articles of the Liquor License Act but his claims were rejected by the manager.
One of the subjects in dispute was the knowledge, by the owner of the establishment, of the presence of people linked to organized crime in his restaurant and for this part of the debates, the manager deplored the fact that the owner did not want to testify during the court days.
“The owner’s lawyer argues that the identity or knowledge of the people linked to organized crime and present in the establishment is unknown to her, as well as to her manager. To this, the Court responds that it should have been heard from the mouth of the owner’s manager. Furthermore, knowledge by the holder of the identity of people linked to organized crime or of their situation with regard to their criminal record is not mandatory to conclude that there has been a breach of this nature. Indeed, this element is not decisive in itself and it does not exempt the holder from its responsibility to keep this type of clientele away from its establishment,” writes Mme Joy.
To contact Daniel Renaud, call 514 285-7000, ext. 4918, write to [email protected] or write to the postal address of The Press.