Two former New York City Fire Department (FDNY) chiefs, Anthony Saccavino and Brian Cordasco, have been taken into custody on bribery, corruption, and false statements charges. The arrests were announced by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York.
According to U.S. Attorney Damian Williams, Saccavino and Cordasco, along with an unnamed third party, are accused of soliciting and accepting bribes totaling over $190,000 between 2021 and 2023. The bribes were allegedly paid in exchange for receiving priority access to the Bureau of Fire Prevention.
The Bureau of Fire Prevention oversees the installation of fire safety and suppression systems in New York City and ensures compliance with fire safety regulations. Williams explained that the bureau's approval is crucial for buildings to be open to the public or occupied and is meant to operate on a first-come, first-served basis.
Williams stated that the accused individuals established a VIP lane for expedited service that could only be accessed through bribes.
The charges against Saccavino and Cordasco include conspiracy to solicit a bribe, solicitation and receipt of a bribe, honest services wire fraud, conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud, and making false statements in connection with a scheme to provide preferential treatment to specific individuals and companies.
Fire Commissioner Robert Tucker emphasized the FDNY's commitment to honesty and ethics, stating that any misconduct will not be tolerated. He assured full cooperation with ongoing investigations, underscoring the department's dedication to public safety.
During the investigation in February, Saccavino and Cordasco allegedly made false statements during voluntary interviews with the FBI. Federal prosecutors claim that the two individuals repeatedly misled investigators during these interviews.
These arrests come amidst a broader corruption probe within New York City's government. Recent developments include the sudden resignation of Mayor Eric Adams' top legal adviser and the departure of the New York Police Department's former chief following the seizure of his phone by federal authorities.
