Ex-FDNY chief gets nearly 2 years in federal prison for taking bribes

Ex-NYC fire chief sentenced to nearly 2 years for bribery scheme

Robert Besser
05 Apr 2025, 08:57 GMT+10

Ex-FDNY chief gets nearly 2 years in federal prison for taking bribes

A former New York City Fire Department chief has been sentenced to nearly two years in federal prison for taking bribes to speed up fire safety inspections
Brian Cordasco, who led the Bureau of Fire Prevention, admitted to accepting tens of thousands of dollars in bribes
Along with his prison time, he must serve two years of supervised release, pay a $100,000 fine, and give up $57,000

NEW YORK CITY, New York: A former New York City Fire Department chief has been sentenced to nearly two years in federal prison for taking bribes to speed up fire safety inspections.

Brian Cordasco, who led the Bureau of Fire Prevention, admitted to accepting tens of thousands of dollars in bribes. Along with his prison time, he must serve two years of supervised release, pay a $100,000 fine, and give up $57,000.

Jocelyn Strauber, head of the city's Department of Investigation, said Cordasco put his own financial gain ahead of fair and honest service to the public. Acting U.S. Attorney Matthew Podolsky stated that the sentence demonstrates that government officials who accept bribes will face severe punishment.

Judge Lewis Liman stated that Cordasco's actions betrayed the firefighters working under him and sentenced him to 20 months in prison to deter others from committing similar crimes. Cordasco, 50, from Staten Island, must report to jail on June 17.

Cordasco pleaded guilty in October, admitting that he and others had accepted bribes to expedite fire inspections. The Bureau of Fire Prevention must approve fire safety systems in buildings before they can be used.

Cordasco was arrested in September along with another fire chief, Anthony Saccavino. Between 2021 and 2023, prosecutors allege that the bribery scheme generated $190,000, with Cordasco personally retaining $57,000.

Saccavino, 59, pleaded guilty in January and is scheduled to be sentenced on May 14.