Ex-FDNY Chief Brian Cordasco Receives Prison Sentence Over Bribery Scandal

Ex-FDNY Chief Brian Cordasco will serve 20 months in prison for orchestrating a $190,000 bribery scheme that exploited 2020 health emergency inspection backlogs and betrayed the public’s trust in a crucial safety institution.

Key Insights

Cordasco, a former FDNY chief with an “impeccable” record before 2020, received bribes to fast-track fire safety inspections for businesses and has been sentenced to 20 months behind bars..
The corruption scheme involved his supervisor Anthony Saccavino and netted approximately $190,000 through kickbacks from high-end restaurants and hotels seeking special treatment.
Judge Lewis Liman delivered a strong rebuke during sentencing, emphasizing the betrayal of public trust and the need for deterrence against similar corruption.

A Fall from Grace Over Greed

The Manhattan federal courtroom witnessed the downfall of a once-respected public servant as former FDNY Chief Brian Cordasco received a 20-month prison sentence for his role in a bribery scheme that exploited his position of authority. Cordasco, who admitted to accepting approximately $190,000 in bribes between 2021 and 2023, pleaded guilty to conspiring to solicit and receive bribes to expedite fire safety inspections for business owners willing to pay for preferential treatment.

Federal Judge Lewis Liman described the offense as “a very serious crime” during sentencing, emphasizing the betrayal of public trust. The scheme took advantage of 2020-health emergency inspection backlogs, allowing paying businesses to jump ahead in line while others faced lengthy delays. Cordasco and his supervisor, Anthony Saccavino, operated as silent partners in a business that facilitated expedited reviews and inspections, collecting 30% kickbacks from clients which included high-end restaurants and hotels seeking spots on the City Hall “VIP list.”

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

Opportunism and Public Betrayal

The investigation revealed that Cordasco’s corruption began shortly after his promotion to the Bureau of Fire Protection in 2020, despite what was described as an “impeccable” record during his career as a firefighter. The early 2020s created a perfect environment for exploitation, as legitimate businesses struggled with lengthy delays for mandatory safety inspections. Rather than helping all New Yorkers equally during this crisis, Cordasco saw an opportunity for personal enrichment.

The corruption extended beyond the bribery itself. When interviewed by the FBI in February 2024, both Cordasco and Saccavino allegedly lied about their involvement in the scheme. Both men retired from the FDNY before the indictment was released, attempting to avoid accountability. Adding to the hypocrisy, Cordasco had publicly criticized City Hall for preferential treatment while simultaneously engaging in similar dishonest practices for personal gain.

Consequences

In addition to prison time, Cordasco received two years of supervised release and was ordered to pay $157,000 in restitution and fines. The judge recommended he serve his term at low-security prisons close to New York City. Assistant US Attorney Jessica Greenwood had pushed for a longer sentence, highlighting Cordasco’s repeated lies and his inexcusable greed despite already receiving a generous $250,000 salary and pension. Saccavino, Cordasco’s supervisor who was also charged in the scheme, has yet to be sentenced.

A Stern Warning Against Corruption

Fire Commissioner Robert Tucker emphasized the department’s commitment to ethical conduct, stating: “Every member of the FDNY takes a sworn oath to conduct themselves honestly and ethically. Anything less will not be tolerated.” Commissioner Jocelyn Strauber delivered an equally direct message to those who might consider similar misconduct, warning they would “do so at the risk of prison time.”