After a New York judge agreed to pause proceedings in Donald Trump‘s criminal hush money case, New Jersey regulators continue to hold off on any hearings regarding liquor license renewals at two of the president-elect’s in-state golf clubs.

Judge Juan Merchan was scheduled to determine this week whether the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent ruling on presidential immunity vacates the guilty verdict. However, both sides requested more time in the wake of Trump’s recent election victory.

Merchan has now delayed any rulings until at least Nov. 19, so that prosecutors can suggest a way forward. With sentencing still scheduled for Nov. 26, it would come less than two months ahead of Trump’s inauguration.

In a Nov. 10 email, Assistant District Attorney Matthew Colangelo said the prosecution needs to consider how to balance the “competing interests” of the jury’s verdict and the presidency.

“These are unprecedented circumstances,” he wrote.

Trump’s lawyer, Emil Bove, joined the District Attorney’s request to stay the existing scheduled dates. The move included the dates for a decision on the pending presidential immunity motion and sentencing. Bove also argued for throwing out the case altogether “to avoid unconstitutional impediments to President Trump’s ability to govern.”

Merchan has postponed sentencing twice. First, following the immunity decision in July, and then again in September because of the approaching presidential election.

A question of ‘moral turpitude’

In June, the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office confirmed it was looking into whether Trump’s felony convictions make him ineligible to hold liquor licenses at courses in Colts Neck and Bedminster.

The state prohibits anyone convicted of a “crime involving moral turpitude” from possessing a liquor license. At issue is whether Trump’s conviction on 34 counts of falsifying business records to hide a $130,000 hush money payment to an adult film star violates New Jersey law.

According to the state Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC), a review of the matter indicated that even though the licenses are in the name of his son, Donald Trump Jr., the president-elect “maintains a direct beneficial interest.” ABC cited Donald Trump as the “recipient of revenues and profits from them, as the sole beneficiary of the Donald J. Trump Revocable Trust.”

Overseen by Donald Trump Jr., the trust is an umbrella entity that owns the Trump Organization. Prior to taking office in January 2017, Donald Trump reportedly filed an ownership change for Trump National Golf Club Colts Neck, Lamington Farm Club and Trump National Golf Club Pine Hill as part of a broader strategy to move most of his business interests to the trust.

As a result, the ABC said it is not renewing licenses associated with the properties in Colts Neck and Bedminster. Both expired June 30.

However, the state did grant both locations temporary permits. The move allows them to continue serving alcohol until a hearing on the renewals occurs.

No news

According to the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office, during the hearing, an applicant bears the burden of proof to demonstrate they remain qualified to maintain licensure. The proceedings also include a review of any beneficiaries of the licenses.

The state first confirmed last summer it was examining whether to take action against the licenses. At the time, the Trump Organization said the review does not apply to Donald Trump because the permits are not in the names of corporate entities for which he is an officer or director.

Originally, the ABC planned to hold a July 19 hearing on the matter – just eight days after Trump’s scheduled sentencing in New York.

After the first postponement, the AG’s office said any decisions regarding the liquor license issue would not be entered until after his sentencing.

A spokesperson for the AG’s office told NJBIZ there are no updates as of Nov. 12.

‘Unwarranted and unjustified’

A Trump Organization spokesperson has previously said they believe New Jersey’s review is “unwarranted and unjustified.”

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“These liquor licenses support the livelihoods of many hundreds of hard-working New Jersey residents, including bartenders, waiters and waitresses, they service thousands of members, and they contribute millions of dollars to the revenue streams of the State of New Jersey,” they said in a June 28 statement.

“They are also relied upon by people for special life events, including weddings, christenings, and bar and bat mitzvahs, as well as charitable outings and events. We sincerely hope that this investigation is not political in nature, and given the foregoing, we feel confident that our licenses will remain unaffected,” the statement said.

The Borough of Pine Hill renewed the liquor license for the Trump National Golf Club Pine Hill in June. According to the AG’s office, municipal officials wield independent authority to issue plenary retail consumption licenses.

In Pine Hill, the ABC “was not involved in that decision or issuance.”

During the trial earlier this year, prosecutors argued that Trump doctored internal business records while serving in the White House. The aim was to disguise the fact he ordered his former lawyer Michael Cohen to pay off Stormy Daniels before the 2016 presidential election, they said.

Other suits

Trump was the first former commander-in-chief ever convicted of crimes, as well as the first person with a criminal record elected president. He has has denied all wrongdoing.

He faces a range of potential sentences, including prison time, probation and a fine.

Following the U.S. Supreme Court’s July 1 ruling that presidents and former presidents have broad immunity from prosecution for official acts in office, Trump’s legal team requested a delay in his criminal sentencing. They also sought permission to file a motion arguing to wipe out the conviction.

The case was the first of Trump’s four indictments to reach trial.

Special counsel Jack Smith is reportedly expected to drop both of Trump’s federal criminal cases related to efforts to overturn the 2020 election and for retaining classified documents after leaving the White House. According to ABC News, the move is tied to a longstanding Department of Justice policy prohibiting the prosecution of sitting presidents.

Meanwhile, Trump’s criminal election interference case in Georgia has also experienced delays.