New Jersey Attorney General’s Office of Alcoholic Beverage Control is determining whether President-elect Donald Trump is qualified to own an interest in alcohol licenses at his New Jersey golf courses after receiving a no-punishment sentence in New York’s silence – money hearing last Friday.
Since Trump’s criminal conviction in May, Democratic Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin’s office has maintained that Trump – who will be inaugurated for a second presidential term on Monday – has a direct interest in the licenses, which could constitute a violation of New Jersey law, which states The office’s announcement states that no one who has been “convicted of a moral offense” should have a license to sell alcohol.
The Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control did not renew the licenses at Trump National Golf Club Colts Neck and Trump National Golf Club Bedminster, instead implementing and renewing “Miscellaneous Temporary Advertising Permits” that allow the facilities to continue serving alcoholic beverages pending a hearing in the case, a spokesman said General Prosecutor’s Office, reopenings continue. The current extensions expire on February 28.
Trump’s third Jersey golf club, Trump National Golf Club Philadelphia, located in Pine Hill in Camden County, was not affected, and on June 3, the Borough of Pine Hill renewed its plenary consumption license.
The saga surrounding Trump’s liquor license began over the summer, when the attorney general’s office originally planned to hold a hearing on July 19, 2024, in Trenton. But with repeated delays Trump’s conviction for attempting to influence the 2016 election through hush money payments, license renewal hearings they were in purgatory.
New Jersey officials have also launched a review — which includes assessing Trump’s criminal history and whether he has a “reputation” and ability to run a business in a “reliable manner” — to determine the impact of Trump’s conviction on his licenses.
A spokesman for Platkin declined to comment Monday on the timing of his upcoming contract renewal hearing.
Both notices of extension hearings taking place this summer were addressed to Donald Trump Jr., whose name appears on alcohol sales licenses. However, the president-elect receives profits and licensing income and is “the sole beneficiary of the Donald J. Trump Revocable Trust, which holds all of the organization’s assets,” according to documents from the Alcoholic Beverage Control Division.
A spokesman for Trump’s transition team did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Friday’s ruling came just 10 days before Trump’s inauguration, making it the first a person convicted of a crime who is expected to assume the office of president and commemoration of the first criminal accusation against a former US president and leading presidential candidate, – reported the Associated Press.
Trump could have served up to four years for his conviction, but instead received an “unconditional discharge,” meaning he does not have to serve any prison time, pay fines or participate in community service. He can also vote, but he cannot own a firearm and will have to provide a DNA sample.
