Two former New York City Fire Department chiefs, Anthony Saccavino and Brian Cordasco, were arrested on charges of soliciting bribes to ensure preferential treatment from the department’s fire-safety division. The arrests came amid multiple federal investigations involving Mayor Eric Adams and his administration, with speculation that one inquiry may be related to expediting fire safety inspections at the Turkish consulate in exchange for illegal contributions. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams emphasized that his office is committed to addressing corruption and stated that the work is far from done.
Saccavino and Cordasco, who were former chiefs of the city Fire Department’s Bureau of Fire Prevention, were released on $250,000 bail after pleading not guilty to bribery, corruption, and false statements charges. Their attorneys defended them as dedicated firefighters, with Saccavino being described as a 9/11 first responder and Cordasco as serving fearlessly and faithfully for two decades. The attorneys also raised questions about any potential connections to City Hall or Mayor Eric Adams, asserting that their clients deny all allegations against them.
The indictment against Saccavino and Cordasco does not mention any projects tied to the Turkish government, but it does refer to a “City Hall List” allegedly used by the fire department to prioritize certain projects. While Adams has denied the existence of such a list, a former fire chief claimed it grew significantly under the current administration, being used to allow politically connected developers to expedite inspections. The charges against the former chiefs involve soliciting and accepting bribes from a retired firefighter operating an unsanctioned expediting business, which resulted in over $190,000 in payments during a scheme initiated after the pandemic caused a backlog of work.
Internal emails obtained by the media showed that Cordasco expressed concerns about the ethics of granting priority to certain projects while allegedly participating in the bribery scheme. Despite raising objections internally, he reportedly complied with requests from City Hall to expedite inspections, sparking further scrutiny into the department’s practices. Fire Commissioner Robert Tucker stated that the department will cooperate fully with the investigation, emphasizing the importance of honesty and ethical behavior among employees.
The recent arrests add to the ongoing turmoil surrounding Mayor Adams and his administration, as the top legal adviser abruptly resigned over the weekend, following the resignation of the head of the New York Police Department. With federal investigations expanding and uncovering instances of alleged corruption, the incidents involving the former fire chiefs highlight the challenges faced by public officials in maintaining trust and accountability. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of transparency and integrity in government operations, as authorities work to root out corruption and uphold ethical standards across all levels of public service.
