Mike Halfacre in 2008. (Click to enlarge)

[Update: On June 30, 2015, the Newark law firm Genova Burns announced that Halfacre was joining it as counsel, doing work on commercial real estate and business transactions, and would be “available for consultation” to the firm’s craft beer, spirits and alcohol practice.]

By JOHN T. WARD

Former Fair Haven Mayor Mike Halfacre has quit his job as head of the state Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control, redbankgreen has confirmed.

Halfacre told redbankgreen that he will leave the agency – the unit of the Attorney General’s office that regulates liquor licenses – effective June 30 to return to the practice of law.

Halfacre put his private law practice on hold to take the ABC job when it was offered by Governor Chris Christie in 2012. He also stepped down at the time from appointed posts as municipal prosecutor in Rumson and Little Silver.

Asked if he was leaving as a result of any friction, Halfacre replied, “none whatsoever. I love working for the ABC. I love the issues, I love the people. I think it’s gone very well.”

He declined to be more specific about his future plans, saying they would be inappropriate to discuss while he’s still employed by the state.

A lifelong borough resident, Halfacre was elected mayor in 2006 and re-elected in 2010. He came up short of the Republican nomination in a bid for a Congressional seat in 2010.