Trump’s NJ Liquor Licenses in Jeopardy Following Felony Conviction
BEDMINSTER, N.J. — The State of New Jersey has joined the coordinated multi-pronged personal, political, and business attack against former President Donald J. Trump. The state had previously threatened to revoke Trump’s liquor licenses at his three New Jersey-owned golf courses, even though they are not in his name.
Under New Jersey law, a convicted felon cannot hold a liquor license. In many cases across New Jersey, trouble owners who cannot obtain their license often use a spouse, family member, or business partner’s name.
After being delivered the facts in the matter, the state is now simply denying the license renewals instead of revoking them.
Former President Donald Trump faces potential jeopardy regarding his New Jersey liquor licenses after the state’s Division of Alcohol Beverage Control opted against renewing licenses at two of his golf clubs following his recent felony conviction, as reported by Forbes on Friday.
According to NBC News, the New Jersey attorney general’s office initiated investigations into Trump’s eligibility to hold liquor licenses at three of his golf courses in the state earlier this month. Forbes detailed how the clubs in Bedminster and Colt Neck were denied license renewals but granted temporary permission to continue serving alcohol until a hearing scheduled for July 19.
State law stipulates that liquor licenses can be denied to individuals “who have been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude.” The Alcohol Beverage Control handbook defines “moral turpitude” as involving “a serious crime from the viewpoint of society in general and usually contains elements of dishonesty, fraud or depravity.”
“During such a hearing, the applicant bears the burden of proof to demonstrate by a preponderance of the evidence that they remain qualified to maintain licensure, which includes a review of any beneficiaries of the licenses,” the state Attorney General’s Office said in a statement.
Trump’s conviction in May on 34 felony counts related to falsifying business records to conceal hush payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels triggered these actions. His sentencing is slated for July 11, adding further complexity to the ongoing legal challenges surrounding his business operations in New Jersey.
The Trump Organization said in a statement, “We believe that a hearing regarding the renewal of our liquor licenses is unwarranted and unjustified.” “We sincerely hope that this investigation is not political in nature, and given the foregoing, we feel confident that our licenses will remain unaffected.”
The company cited the attack on Trump’s liquor license as an attack on the jobs of hundreds of employees working at the golf courses and customers who are members.
Platkin and the state will attempt to tie Trump directly to the licenses.
“A review by ABC indicates that Mr. Trump maintains a direct beneficial interest in the three liquor licenses through the receipt of revenues and profits from them as the sole beneficiary of the Donald J. Trump Revocable Trust,’ he said.