FDNY chief received bribes, sentenced to three years in prison
- Anthony Saccavino was convicted of bribery while heading the Bureau of Fire Prevention.
- He received $190,000 in bribes over a two-year period, facilitating accelerated inspections.
- Saccavino's actions represent a serious breach of public trust, leading to his three-year prison sentence.
In New York City, a former fire department chief was sentenced to three years in prison for his involvement in a bribery scheme. Anthony Saccavino, aged 61, was convicted of accepting tens of thousands of dollars in bribes between 2021 and 2023 to facilitate fire safety inspections at various businesses, including restaurants and hotels. He had pleaded guilty to his actions in January while overseeing the Bureau of Fire Prevention, which is responsible for regulating fire safety systems in the city. This deception, executed under his watch, undermined public safety and trust in the city’s fire regulatory process. Saccavino's corrupt activities were aided by another fire chief, Brian Cordasco, who he collaborated with to solicit bribes totaling about $190,000. Their operation involved an intermediary, a retired firefighter who managed an unofficial “expediting” business to ensure that the fire safety inspections were accelerated for more than thirty projects. This misrepresentation allowed the businesses involved to bypass the necessary scrutiny essential for ensuring fire safety, which posed risks not only to the businesses but also to the general public that frequented them. Their arrest occurred in September 2023, mere days before Mayor Eric Adams faced his own bribery indictment, which was unrelated to Saccavino's actions. Adams' case involved allegations of misleading relationships for illegal contributions but was ultimately dismissed by the Trump administration. This timing, however, created a cloud of controversy over the integrity of the city officials during this period, and the overshadowing implications raised questions regarding systemic corruption. Furthermore, after being sentenced, Saccavino received additional financial penalties, which included repaying $57,000 in bribes he pocketed personally as well as a fine of $150,000 imposed by the court. These consequences, as stated by Manhattan U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton, exemplify a broader accountability necessity for governmental roles that directly impact public welfare and safety.