New Jersey decides not to automatically renew some Trump liquor licenses, schedules July hearing

State law prohibits someone who has been convicted of a serious crime of "moral turpitude" from holding a license

By Nandika Chatterjee

News Fellow

Published June 28, 2024 3:56PM (EDT)

Republican presidential candidate former U.S. President Donald Trump arrives for his campaign rally in Wildwood Beach on May 11, 2024 in Wildwood, New Jersey. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
Republican presidential candidate former U.S. President Donald Trump arrives for his campaign rally in Wildwood Beach on May 11, 2024 in Wildwood, New Jersey. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

Some of Donald Trump’s New Jersey liquor licenses were put in jeopardy after the state’s Divison of Alcohol Beverage Control decided not to renew licenses at two of the former president's golf clubs following his conviction on 34 felony charges last month, Forbes reported Friday.

Earlier this month, the New Jersey attorney’s general’s office said it was investigating Trump's eligibility to hold liquor licenses at three of his golf courses in the state, NBC News reported. Two of the clubs, Bedminster and Colt Neck, were denied renewals but granted temporary permission to continue serving alcohol until a hearing on the matter is scheduled July, 19, Forbes reported.

Under state law, liquor licenses are denied to any person "who has been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude." The state's Alcohol Beverage Control handbook states that "moral turpitude" refers to "a serious crime from the viewpoint of society in general and usually contains elements of dishonesty, fraud or depravity." 

Trump was convicted in May of 34 felony counts for falsifying business records to cover up hush payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels. He is due to be sentenced July 11.


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