2 retired FDNY chiefs arrested in corruption probe

Lauren Taylor

TWO RETIRED NEW YORK CITY FIRE CHIEFS ARE FACING SERIOUS CHARGES AFTER BEING ARRESTED MONDAY AS A PART OF A YEAR-LONG CORRUPTION INVESTIGATION. 

THE TWO ALLEGEDLY ACCEPTED $190-THOUSAND-DOLLARS IN BRIBES IN EXCHANGE FOR EXPEDITING INSPECTIONS.

ACCORDING TO THE INDICTMENT UNSEALED TODAY, BRIAN CORDASCO AND ANTHONY SACCAVINO REPEATEDLY ABUSED THEIR POSITIONS AS HIGH-RANKING OFFICIALS IN THE FDNY’S BUREAU OF FIRE PREVENTION.

THE TWO MEN ARE CHARGED WITH SOLICITING AND ACCEPTING BRIBES – SOMETHING THEY ALLEGEDLY CARRIED OUT FOR NEARLY TWO YEARS.

IN A STATEMENT, FIRE COMMISSIONER ROBERT TUCKER, CONDEMNED THE ACTIONS, SAYING THE FDNY WILL NOT TOLERATE ANY BEHAVIOR THAT BREACHES THE PUBLIC’S TRUST.  

HE EMPHASIZED THAT THE DEPARTMENT IS FULLY COOPERATING WITH INVESTIGATORS AND THAT SAFETY REMAINS THE TOP PRIORITY. 

THE INVESTIGATION INTO THESE FORMER CHIEFS REPORTEDLY GREW OUT OF A SEPARATE PROBE– ONE LOOKING INTO WHETHER MAYOR ERIC ADAMS’ CAMPAIGN HAD RECEIVED ILLEGAL DONATIONS FROM TURKEY IN EXCHANGE FOR EXPEDITED INSPECTIONS. 

HOWEVER, A SPOKESPERSON FOR CITY HALL QUICKLY CLARIFIED THAT THERE’S NO INDICATION OF ANY DIRECT CONNECTION BETWEEN THESE ARRESTS AND ANYONE IN THE MAYOR’S OFFICE. 

WE’LL CONTINUE TO FOLLOW THIS DEVELOPING STORY- FOR SAN I’M LAUREN TAYLOR