New Jersey state officials are reviewing whether Donald Trump’s recent convictions will impact his liquor licenses at three golf courses in the state. New Jersey law prohibits issuing a liquor license to anyone who has been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude, which typically involves dishonesty, fraud, or depravity severe enough to be punishable by more than a year in prison. Spokespeople for the Trump Organization did not comment on the matter, but the state is looking into the issue.
Other states where Trump sells alcohol have similar laws regarding moral character, but it seems unlikely that he will face issues in those states. In California, Trump transferred his liquor license for a golf club to his son, meaning he is no longer considered part of the license. Representatives from New York, Virginia, Illinois, and North Carolina stated that Trump is not a current licensee in their states, although he is the sole owner of businesses with liquor licenses. In Florida, where Trump has five properties with liquor licenses, there are workarounds such as providing evidence of good citizenship or character references. The rules in Las Vegas also appear to be more lenient, with no grounds for disciplinary action in Clark County for felony convictions.
Enforcement of any possible violations of liquor license rules could fall to local officials. In Washington, D.C., a group of clergy and judges petitioned the alcohol board to cancel Trump’s hotel’s liquor license, claiming he failed to meet the city’s good-character requirements. However, the board declined to rule on the issue both times it was brought up for renewal, citing reasons such as not ruling in the middle of a licensing period and lack of standing from the petitioners. Ultimately, no action was taken against Trump’s liquor license in D.C.
Overall, the review of Trump’s liquor licenses in different states is ongoing, with each state having its own set of rules and workarounds for potential violations related to moral character. Trump has faced challenges and objections in some states, while others seem to have more lenient standards for liquor license holders. The outcome of these reviews will ultimately depend on the decisions of state officials and the enforcement of existing laws and regulations. The Trump Organization has not provided any comments on the matter, and it remains to be seen how these reviews will impact Trump’s business interests in the states where he holds liquor licenses.
