In light of former president Trump’s felony conviction in New York, officials in New Jersey have set a hearing for July 19 to determine whether or not to renew the liquor licenses of two of his golf clubs.
A representative from the office of the New Jersey attorney general stated that a conviction for a crime “involving moral turpitude” would disqualify an individual from possessing a liquor license under the state’s legal code.
In a landmark criminal trial that made history, a New York court found Trump guilty on 34 charges of falsifying company records in May. This made him the first sitting US president to be convicted of a crime. According to the prosecution, he lied about paying an adult film actress to keep quiet about rumors of an affair she had with Trump in the lead-up to the 2016 election. The affair has been denied by Trump.
The hearing will be held by New Jersey authorities to decide whether the golf courses in Colts Neck and Bedminster can lawfully renew their liquor licenses. It follows the probable Republican nominee’s sentencing in New York on July 11.
“According to ABC [Alcohol Beverage Control], Mr. Trump, as the sole beneficiary of the Donald J. Trump Revocable Trust, maintains a direct beneficial interest in the three liquor licenses through the receipt of revenues and profits from them,” stated the attorney general’s office spokesperson.
“Unwarranted and unjustified” was the description given by a Trump organization spokesman when asked about the hearing.
“As previously stated, President Trump is not the holder of any liquor license in New Jersey, and he is not an officer, director, or operator of any entity that holds a liquor license in New Jersey,” says a statement acquired by AWN on Saturday.
Given the circumstances, we are certain that our licenses will be impacted, and we deeply hope that this probe is not of a political nature, the statement added.
Until the hearing, the clubs at Colts Neck and Bedminster golf courses can serve booze under a state-issued interim 90-day permission, as stated by the spokeswoman from the attorney general’s office, since their liquor licenses expire on Sunday.
“At this type of hearing, the party seeking licensure must prove, through a preponderance of evidence, that they are still qualified to do so. This includes taking a look at who stands to gain or lose from their licenses,” they stated.
A representative for Trump announced on June 3 that the third New Jersey golf course in Pine Hill had its liquor license renewed.
“ABC will not provide any additional information regarding that license at this time as we await the results of the hearing scheduled for the Colts Neck and Lamington Farm Club licenses,” the representative stated.