Two FDNY chiefs accepted $190,000 in bribes in exchange for fast tracking building inspections, according to an indictment unsealed on Monday by federal prosecutors in Manhattan.
Anthony Saccavino and Brian Cordasco were the top two chiefs at the fire department’s bureau of fire prevention, which oversees fire alarm and fire suppression systems in buildings. According to the indictment, they worked through a retired firefighter who, acting as a middle man, promised to expedite construction plan reviews and building inspections in exchange for cash.
Both men were charged with conspiracy to solicit and receive bribes, wire fraud and making false statements. They were arrested this morning at their homes, according to ABC News.
The men are also accused of lying to the FBI when interviewed in February about the alleged scheme.
At the time, Mayor Eric Adams was under scrutiny for allegedly prioritizing fire safety reviews for developers and campaign donors, as Gothamist reported. Saccavino had been appointed to replace Joseph Jardin, who claimed in a lawsuit that he was demoted in part because he had complained about “corruption in favor of major real estate developers.”
Cordasco, the other alleged co-conspirator in Monday’s indictment, had actually complained about City Hall giving preferential treatment to developers, according to emails obtained by Gothamist last year.
Saccavino had a $263,478 annual salary, the indictment said, and Cordasco, his second in command, made $257,296.
This is a developing story and will be updated.