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 Cape Town Express.

More Information

null in null

International

Section

Quits job, sails ocean: Oliver Widger reaches Hawaii with cat Phoenix

Oregon man sails to Hawaii with cat, greeted by fans and governor

HONOLULU, Hawaii: A man from Oregon, Oliver Widger, has arrived in Hawaii after sailing across the ocean with his cat, Phoenix. He...

Argentinian church leader raps Milei at national religious ceremony

Buenos Aires Archbishop slams Milei's policies on poverty, pensioners

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina: The Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Jorge García Cuerva, used a major religious event over the weekend to criticize...

Historic vote for judges in Mexico marred by criminal ties

Mexico's judicial elections have 5,000 candidates with criminal past

CIUDAD JUAREZ, Mexico: In a first-of-its-kind judicial election in Mexico, more than 5,000 candidates are vying for over 840 federal...

Bodies of 5 missing skiers recovered on mountain in Switzerland

Five skiers found dead near Zermatt in Swiss Alps

ZERMATT, Switzerland: Five skiers were found dead on a mountain in Switzerland near the popular ski resort of Zermatt, officials said...

Canadians turn out in thousands to pay tribute to Israel

Tens of thousands march in support of Israel in Toronto

TORONTO, Canada - Tens of thousands of people from across Canada have marched in support of Israel in a massive turnout in Toronto....

Foreign students at Harvard bear the brunt of White House ban

Trump bans Harvard from enrolling international students starting in 2025

BOSTON, Massachusetts: U.S. President Donald Trump's administration has taken away Harvard University's right to enroll international...

South Africa

Section

IPL Qualifier 1: RCB win toss, opt to bowl against PBKS; Hazlewood returns to Bengaluru attack

Chandigarh (Punjab) [India], May 29 (ANI): Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain Rajat Patidar won the toss and opted to bowl against...

"Daughters of country fulfilling their responsibility", Defence Minister Rajnath Singh lauds role of women in armed forces

Vasco De Gama (Goa) [India], May 29 (ANI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday lauded the role of the women in Indian armed...

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

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

International

Quits job, sails ocean: Oliver Widger reaches Hawaii with cat Phoenix

Argentinian church leader raps Milei at national religious ceremony

Historic vote for judges in Mexico marred by criminal ties

Bodies of 5 missing skiers recovered on mountain in Switzerland

Canadians turn out in thousands to pay tribute to Israel

Foreign students at Harvard bear the brunt of White House ban

South Africa

IPL Qualifier 1: RCB win toss, opt to bowl against PBKS; Hazlewood returns to Bengaluru attack

"Daughters of country fulfilling their responsibility", Defence Minister Rajnath Singh lauds role of women in armed forces

South African woman gets life in prison for selling six-year-old daughter

Australia to tour India for 3-match ODI series ahead of Women's Cricket World Cup

"He never gives up at all whether home or away": Jadeja reflects on Virat Kohli's approach as test captain

Trump's white genocide claims about South Africa have deep roots in American history

Movie Review

The Hills Have Eyes (1977) (4K UHD) [Blu-Ray]