Two retired fire chiefs from the New York City Fire Department were arrested by federal authorities early Monday for allegedly accepting over $190,000 in bribes to expedite safety inspections and reviews, according to officials.
Anthony Saccavino and Brian Cordasco, both former members of the FDNY’s Bureau of Fire Prevention, were charged with bribery, corruption, and making false statements as part of a long-term corruption investigation, as detailed in an indictment unsealed in Manhattan federal court.
The indictment claims that between 2021 and 2023, while serving as chiefs in the Bureau of Fire Prevention, they solicited and accepted bribes from a retired firefighter who acted as an expediter for companies awaiting inspections. In return for the bribes, they ensured that the expediter’s clients received priority for their safety plans and inspections.
During the COVID pandemic, wait times for inspections increased significantly, leading to the alleged bribery scheme. The indictment also references a “City Hall List,” which included projects that City Hall officials requested be prioritized by the Bureau of Fire Prevention. Saccavino and Cordasco reportedly referred projects from this list to the expediter, facilitating a flow of money back to themselves.
Saccavino joined the FDNY in 1995 and became chief of the Bureau with a salary of $263,478, while Cordasco joined in 2003 and served as Saccavino’s second-in-command with a salary of $257,296.
They are accused of “soliciting and accepting tens of thousands of dollars in bribes in exchange for providing preferential treatment to specific individuals and companies with pending matters before the FDNY” from 2021 to 2023.
The indictment claims, “For nearly two years, Saccavino and Cordasco misused their authority for personal financial gain.”
These arrests follow FBI and city investigators raiding the homes of the two former chiefs in February.
The FDNY’s Brooklyn headquarters was also searched during the same operation.
At the time of the raids, Saccavino and Cordasco allegedly provided false information to federal investigators to “conceal their involvement in the bribery scheme,” according to the indictment.
The nearly two-year scheme involved around 30 different projects throughout New York City, including fire alarm inspections at various locations such as apartment buildings, restaurants, bars, and hotels, according to court documents.
Both Saccavino and Cordasco face multiple charges, including conspiracy to solicit and receive bribes, solicitation and receipt of bribes, honest services wire fraud, conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud, and making false statements.
Federal officials from the Southern District of New York are scheduled to hold a news conference later Monday morning to discuss the arrests.
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