Fire Chief Receives Sentence for Accepting Bribes

Former FDNY Chief Brian Cordasco, once a decorated firefighter with an “impeccable” record, will serve 20 months in prison after pocketing $190,000 in bribes to fast-track safety inspections.

Key Takeaways

Brian Cordasco was sentenced to 20 months in prison for accepting $190,000 in bribes to expedite fire safety inspections for business owners.
Cordasco exploited the 2020 health emergency backlog of inspections, offering preferential treatment to certain clients for payment.
The judge emphasized Cordasco’s betrayal of public trust and characterized his actions as driven purely by greed despite his $250,000 salary and pension.
His supervisor, Anthony Saccavino, was also implicated in the scheme and awaits sentencing.
Cordasco must pay $157,000 in restitution and fines, and will serve two years of supervised release after prison.

From Distinguished Firefighter to Convicted Felon

Brian Cordasco’s fall from grace marks a stunning reversal for the former FDNY chief whose record was described as “impeccable” before his 2020 promotion to the Bureau of Fire Protection. Manhattan Federal Judge Lewis Liman handed down the 20-month prison sentence after Cordasco admitted to accepting bribes between 2021 and 2023. The corruption scheme exploited a backlog of inspections that accumulated during the 2020 health emergency, allowing Cordasco to sell preferential treatment to businesses willing to pay.

Cordasco pleaded guilty to conspiring to solicit and receive bribes, acknowledging that he exploited his position of authority for personal gain. The scheme involved Cordasco and his supervisor, Anthony Saccavino, serving as silent partners in a business that expedited reviews and inspections. They received 30% kickbacks from payments made by business owners desperate to move their inspections forward during delays.

Ex-FDNY chief gets 20 months in prison for fast-tracking inspections in $200K pay-to-play bribery scheme https://t.co/lASWpKnA96 pic.twitter.com/2NbwBgyIpX

— New York Post (@nypost) March 31, 2025

A Betrayal of Public Trust

Judge Liman delivered a scathing assessment of Cordasco’s actions during sentencing, emphasizing the seriousness of the breach of public trust. The judge highlighted how Cordasco’s crimes undermined confidence in vital public safety institutions and betrayed both colleagues and the public. The sentence reflects the court’s determination that such corruption within emergency services demands significant consequences.

“You betrayed the hardworking people under you, who perform such an important service for New York, and you betrayed the hardworking professionals you dealt with in the Bureau of Fire Protection and the clients whom they represent,” said Judge Liman.

The prosecution painted a picture of a man driven entirely by greed. Despite earning a generous salary of nearly $250,000 annually plus pension benefits, Cordasco sought additional illicit income. Assistant US Attorney Jessica Greenwood argued for a longer prison term, noting that Cordasco repeatedly lied about his involvement when initially questioned by authorities in February 2024.

Exploiting a Crisis

The bribery scheme particularly flourished when businesses faced significant delays in obtaining required safety inspections in the early 2020s. Cordasco and Saccavino capitalized on this crisis, offering to expedite inspections for high-end restaurants and hotels willing to pay for spots on what was referred to as City Hall’s inspection “VIP list.” This exploitation of a public health emergency for personal enrichment factored into the judge’s sentencing decision.

FDNY Commissioner Robert Tucker emphasized the department’s commitment to integrity following the sentencing: “Every member of the FDNY takes a sworn oath to conduct themselves honestly and ethically. Anything less will not be tolerated. The Department will fully cooperate with any ongoing investigations. Keeping New Yorkers safe remains our top priority.”

Consequences

In addition to prison time, Cordasco must pay $157,000 in restitution and fines and will serve two years of supervised release after incarceration. The judge recommended he serve his term at low-security prisons close to New York City. Both Cordasco and Saccavino retired from the FDNY before their indictments were released, preserving their pensions despite their criminal conduct.