Anthony Saccavino, the former chief of the New York City Fire Department’s Bureau of Fire Prevention (BFP), has pled guilty to conspiracy charges related to a bribery scheme. Saccavino, 59, admitted that he and others agreed to take $190,000 in bribes to expedite safety inspections for clients of a former firefighter. The plea deal, filed in Manhattan federal court, calls for Saccavino to serve up to five years in prison.
Saccavino, who headed the BFP, was arrested in September alongside Brian Cordasco, 49, another former FDNY chief. Cordasco pled guilty to the same conspiracy charge in October and is set for sentencing in March. The arrests occurred amid multiple federal corruption investigations within the administration of Mayor Eric Adams. However, Cordasco’s charges are not believed to be directly connected to those investigations.
The BFP oversees fire safety and suppression system installations across New York City. Saccavino’s bribery scheme, which spanned from 2021 to 2023, involved expediting fire safety inspections in exchange for kickbacks. Saccavino also misled his subordinates to justify speeding up the process for improper requests.
As part of his plea agreement, Saccavino has agreed to forfeit $57,000, the bribes he personally received. Prosecutors revealed that over two years, he and Cordasco worked with a third individual—a retired firefighter running an “expediting” business—to fast-track inspections for clients. Investigators found that approximately 30 projects received preferential treatment during this time. The scheme collapsed after a falling-out between the chiefs and the third co-conspirator in 2023.
Both men, who had annual salaries of over $250,000, retired before the indictment was released. Saccavino’s sentencing is scheduled for May 14, while Cordasco’s sentencing is set for March.
In a statement, U.S. Attorney Danielle Sassoon emphasized that public officials like Saccavino and Cordasco, who prioritize their own interests over those of the public, will be held accountable. Additionally, the Commissioner of the NYC Department of Investigations, Jocelyn Strauber, underscored that such pay-to-play schemes undermine government fairness and the ability to serve the public equitably.
The case highlights the ongoing issue of corruption within city departments and serves as a reminder of the need for vigilance in overseeing public officials and their conduct.
