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.

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Kolkata Sun.

More Information

null in null

International

Section

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

NEW YORK CITY, New York: A former New York City Fire Department chief has been sentenced to nearly two years in federal prison for...

Rail giant wants help to pay Ohio-Pennsylvania derailment settlement

Trial to decide $600 million settlement in Norfolk Southern derailment

EAST PALESTINE, Ohio: Norfolk Southern wants two other companies to help pay for the $600 million settlement it agreed to after a major...

Wildfire in eastern Sierra burns 1,000 acres, triggers evacuations

Growing eastern California wildfire compels evacuations, Cal Fire says

BISHOP, California: A fast-growing wildfire in California's Eastern Sierra region has burned 1,000 acres and forced people to leave...

Passenger plane, military jet avoid collision in Washington D.C.

Passenger plane, Air Force jet avoid near collision in Washington D.C.

WASHINGTON, D.C.: A U.S. passenger plane getting ready to take off and a military jet coming in were told to change course to avoid...

Radio Free Asia faces shutdown without urgent court relief

Radio Free Asia to shut down by April end without court intervention

WASHINGTON, D.C.: Radio Free Asia, a key voice in press freedom across the continent for nearly three decades, is now warning it may...

Small plane crashes into Minnesota home, one dead

At least 1 dead after plane crashes into home in Minneapolis suburb

BROOKLYN PARK, Minnesota: At least one person died when a small plane crashed into a house in a Minneapolis suburb on Saturday, a city...

India

Section

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

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

International

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

Rail giant wants help to pay Ohio-Pennsylvania derailment settlement

Wildfire in eastern Sierra burns 1,000 acres, triggers evacuations

Passenger plane, military jet avoid collision in Washington D.C.

Radio Free Asia faces shutdown without urgent court relief

Small plane crashes into Minnesota home, one dead

India

India offers farm concessions to avert US tariff clash

India's IT services companies to report subdued growth during 4QFY25: Report

Assam: BJP-NDA secures victory in Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council elections

"There is always pressure when you are bowling penultimate or last over": Shardul Thakur after winning clash against MI

"Rahul Gandhi ji please stop cutting down our jungles in Telangana": BJP leader Tajinder Bagga puts up hoardings

"Opposition parties are showing it negatively": BJP's Mohsin Raza on Waqf Bill

Movie Review

Straw Dogs [Blu-Ray]