Forbes is reporting that Donald Trump could be in violation of the law if he uses the presidential seal at his golf courses.
The seal was used as a tee marker at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach. 45th President was 45 yards from the hole.
It is against the law to use the presidential seal in a way that would make it appear as though the government approves of a private business. Penalties can be as high as six months for violations. Only official government business can be done with the seal.
Forbes says that the fourth Trump property to use the seal is the course. He has courses in the Bronx, New Jersey and Jupiter, Florida.
There were markers that were similar to those seen recently being used at Trump courses. The Trump Organization got rid of the markers after the story came out.
The plaques were presented to the club by a group of amazing fans of the president. The Trump Organization said that they were temporary and had been removed.
The order form for the markers was obtained by the show.
Kathleen Clark, a law professor at Washington University specializing in government and legal ethics, told ProPublica that the law regarding the use of the presidential seal is an expression of the idea that the government and government authority should not be used for private purpose. A misuse of government authority is what it would be.
Trump's private businesses have been enhanced by using his office.
Lobbyists, lawmakers and foreign nations booked rooms at the Trump International Hotel in Washington, D.C., in order to curry favor with him.
The Secret Service has been charged $2 million to stay in rooms at his properties. He went out of his way to travel to his foreign golf courses with a large group of people in order to highlight the properties in international news stories.
The Trump Organization was not reachable.
The article was first published on HuffPost.
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