Two ex-NYC Fire Department chiefs facing charges of bribery

Two former high-ranking New York City Fire Department chiefs, Anthony Saccavino and Brian Cordasco, were indicted by federal prosecutors for allegedly pocketing bribes to expedite fire safety reviews in the Bureau of Fire Prevention. The pair, with over 50 years combined experience at the FDNY, are accused of taking over $190,000 in bribes as part of a scheme involving a retired firefighter who had an expediting business. They allegedly allowed businesses working with the expeditor to receive faster attention in the system, violating the first-come, first-served basis. The chiefs, who each made over $250,000 a year, allegedly kept subordinates in the dark by blaming the need to prioritize inspections on the mayor’s office or other officials. The scheme involved 30 projects and ended when the chiefs had a falling out with their co-conspirator last year. Saccavino and Cordasco face charges including conspiracy to solicit and receive a bribe, solicitation and receipt of a bribe, and making false statements to federal agents. Both have since retired from the FDNY and are scheduled to appear in court. The indictment is part of a wider investigation by U.S. Attorney Damian Williams into potential corruption within Mayor Eric Adams’ administration, which has seen the resignation of Police Commissioner Edward Caban amid a federal probe into nightclub enforcement. Federal agents have also raided the homes of other top officials in Adams’ administration as part of a separate investigation. Adams has not been accused of wrongdoing and Williams emphasized that the fight against public corruption continues.

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