The Trump Organization pushed back against a new probe into the liquor licenses of three Trump-owned golf courses in New Jersey, stating the inquiry is baseless because former President Trump is not the holder of the licenses.
“President Trump is not the holder of any liquor license in New Jersey, and he is not an officer or director of any entity that holds a liquor license in New Jersey — or anywhere in the United States for that matter,” a spokesperson for the Trump organization said in a statement to The Hill.
The attorney general’s office in New Jersey announced on Monday it is reviewing whether Trump’s conviction in his New York hush money case would impact him holding liquor licenses at three of his golf courses in the state: National Golf Club Colts Neck, Lamington Farm Club and Trump National Golf Club Pine Hill.
“These are some of the most iconic properties in the world, and reports like this do nothing but harm the thousands of hard-working Americans who derive their livelihoods from these spectacular assets,” the Trump Organization spokesperson wrote.
State alcoholic beverage control records show the three golf clubs have licenses issued in the name of corporate entities including Lamington Farm Club LLC, Trump National Golf Course Colts Neck LLC and TNGC Pine Hill LLC, The Associated Press reported.
Trump was found guilty earlier this month on all 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in his New York hush money case. The charges were connected with reimbursements made to Trump’s former fixer and onetime attorney, Michael Cohen, for a $130,000 payment made to porn actor Stormy Daniels in exchange for her keeping quiet about an alleged past affair with Trump.
New Jersey law states no liquor license “shall be issued to any person under 18 years old or to any person who has been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude.” The division handbook states that crimes connected to “moral turpitude” are generally “those deemed serious by society.”
Those applying for liquor licenses in New Jersey must also have “reputable” character and are expected to operate the business in a “reputable manner,” the handbook states.
Upon being sworn into the White House in January 2017, Trump turned over management of the Trump Organization to two of his sons, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump.
The New Jersey attorney general’s office declined to comment.
Updated at 11:27 a.m. EDT