Legal & Rulings - Marano Law P.C.

When Words Become Crimes: The Yasiel Puig Federal Verdict

On February 6, 2026, a federal jury in Los Angeles returned guilty verdicts against former Major League Baseball player Yasiel Puig, finding him guilty on two felony charges: obstruction of justice and making false statements to federal investigators in connection with an illegal sports gambling investigation. While the case...

Jordan vs. NASCAR: A Dispute That Reached Beyond the Racetrack

In professional sports, competition does not end when the checkered flag falls. League structure, governance authority, and the division of revenue often become contests of equal importance, with outcomes that can reshape an entire industry. The recent antitrust confrontation between 23XI Racing—co-owned by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin—and NASCAR...

‘COPA’ Laws | New York City

What Property Owners Need to Know New York City’s proposed Community Opportunity to Purchase Act (COPA) has become a significant topic in real estate and housing policy discussions. As of early 2026, the law remains at a critical stage, with its final form dependent on further action by...

Presidential Pardon of Changpeng Zhao: Legal Impact & Compliance Implications

Former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao received a full presidential pardon issued by former President Donald Trump on October 23, 2024, removing the federal criminal penalties associated with his prior conviction for anti-money laundering compliance failures. While the pardon has generated significant public discussion, its legal effect is narrow and does not rewrite...

SEC v. Richard Heart: Jurisdiction Limits in Federal Crypto Enforcement

In SEC v. Richard Heart, a federal court dismissed a high-profile crypto enforcement action, underscoring the limits of U.S. jurisdiction in digital asset regulation. The SEC’s lawsuit, filed in July 2023, alleged that Heart raised more than $1 billion through unregistered offerings and misappropriated investor funds. On February 28,...

SAFE for Kids Act | New York

In 2024, New York enacted the Stop Addictive Feeds Exploitation (SAFE) for Kids Act, a statute aimed at limiting how digital platforms engage users under the age of 18. Although regulators have not yet begun enforcement, the law signals a meaningful shift in how the state approaches youth protection, platform accountability, and...

New York Rent Control Decision Reinforces Long-Term Housing Regulation

The New York rent control decision issued in 2023 reaffirmed the constitutionality of the state’s rent control and rent stabilization laws. Although the ruling did not introduce new regulations, it confirmed that existing rent laws remain fully enforceable throughout New York. As a result, landlords, tenants, and real estate...

New York Wetlands Regulation: Expanded DEC Authority & Development Impact

New York wetlands regulation has undergone a significant shift following a recent ruling and regulatory update issued by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). Together, these changes expand freshwater wetland protections and substantially increase the number of properties subject to state oversight, permitting requirements, and land-use restrictions.

People v. Commons West: Limits on Enforcing Section 8 Under New York Law

People v. Commons West, LLC places New York’s source-of-income housing protections at the intersection of fair housing policy and constitutional law. In that case, the Cortland County Supreme Court held that New York’s source-of-income discrimination statute is unconstitutional as applied when enforcement compels landlords to accept Section 8 vouchers under threat of...

The Ames Ruling & Workplace Fairness

In June 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a unanimous decision in Ames v. Ohio Department of Youth Services, resolving a long-standing split among lower courts over how discrimination claims are evaluated under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. The ruling has direct implications for employers and employees...