Two former chiefs of the Fire Department of New York City (FDNY) are in custody on suspicion of soliciting tens of thousands of dollars in bribes to give preferential treatment to certain builders and developers.
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York announced Monday that Anthony Saccavino and Brian Cordasco were arrested on charges of bribery, corruption and making false statements.
U.S. Attorney Damien Williams told reporters the pair and an unnamed third party are accused of soliciting and accepting bribes from at least 2021 to 2023. The bribes, valued at more than $190,000, were paid in exchange for “preferential access to the fire department,” Williams said.
Williams explained that opening a building to the public or using it often requires department approval and operates on a first-come, first-served basis.
“They allegedly created VIP lanes for faster service that were only available to those who paid bribes,” Williams said.
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Two former FDNY chiefs are facing corruption indictments. (Beata Saursel/NurPhoto)
The arrest comes amid a widening corruption investigation into New York City's government.
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Federal authorities are expected to release more details soon about the case against former FDNY Chiefs Anthony Saccavino and Brian Cordasco. (Peter Byrne/PA Images)
Over the weekend, Mayor Eric Adams' top legal adviser suddenly resigned, days after the New York Police Commissioner, whose cell phone was seized by federal agents, resigned.
According to the indictment, which was reviewed by The Associated Press, the men were former chiefs of the New York City Fire Department's Bureau of Fire Prevention, which is responsible for regulating the installation of fire safety and fire suppression systems throughout New York City and ensuring that fire safety codes were followed.
A New York City Fire Department fire engine parked at a fire station. (Beata Saursel/NurPhoto)
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They were charged with conspiracy to solicit bribes, soliciting and accepting bribes, honest services wire fraud, conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud and making false statements in connection with a scheme to solicit and accept tens of thousands of dollars in bribes in exchange for giving preferential treatment to certain individuals and companies, prosecutors said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
