The Trump Organization has opposed a new investigation into the liquor licenses at three Trump-owned golf courses in New Jersey, arguing the investigation is without merit because the former president is not the license holder.
“President Trump does not hold any liquor licenses in New Jersey, nor is he an officer or director of any entity that holds a liquor license in New Jersey or anywhere in the United States,” a Trump Organization spokesperson said in a statement to The Hill.
The New Jersey Attorney General’s office said Monday it was considering whether Trump’s conviction in the New York hush-money case would affect his ability to hold liquor licenses at three of his golf courses in the state: National Golf Club at Colts Neck, Lamington Farms Club and Trump National Golf Club at Pine Hill.
“These are some of the most iconic properties in the world, and reports like this only harm the thousands of hard-working Americans who make their living from these incredible assets,” a Trump Organization spokesperson wrote.
The three golf clubs have issued licenses under legal entity names including Lamington Farms Club LLC, Trump National Golf Course Colts Neck LLC and TNGC Pine Hill LLC, according to state Alcoholic Beverage Control records. The Associated Press reported..
Earlier this month, Trump was convicted in New York of all 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in a hush-money case that was linked to him paying $130,000 back to his former fixer and one-time lawyer, Michael Cohen, to porn star Stormy Daniels in exchange for keeping quiet about an alleged past affair with Trump.
New Jersey Law It stipulates that no liquor license may be issued to anyone under the age of 18 or to anyone who has been convicted of a crime of moral turpitude.HandbookIt states that crimes related to “moral turpitude” are generally “considered serious by society.”
Applicants for liquor licenses in New Jersey must also be of “reputable” character and are expected to operate their business in a “reputable manner,” the handbook states.
After taking the oath of office at the White House in January 2017, Trump handed over control of the Trump Organization to his sons, Donald Jr. and Eric Trump.
The Hill has reached out to the Attorney General’s office for further comment.
