Former high-ranking official, Brian E. Cordasco, arrested for bribery related to safety approvals.
Former New York Fire Department Chief Brian E. Cordasco has agreed to plead guilty to one count of bribery conspiracy after being accused of accepting bribes to expedite fire-safety approvals. Cordasco, along with another retired chief, Anthony M. Saccavino, solicited and received bribes for overseeing fire safety approvals for various building projects in the city between 2021 and 2023.
The indictment against Cordasco and Saccavino includes charges of bribery, bribery conspiracy, wire fraud, wire fraud conspiracy, and making false statements to the FBI. While Saccavino has pleaded not guilty to the charges, Cordasco has decided to plead guilty following plea negotiations with federal prosecutors. The plea hearing is expected to take place in early October.
The alleged bribery scheme occurred during a period of long wait times for fire safety approvals due to the pandemic. Cordasco and Saccavino expedited approvals for projects such as a Manhattan restaurant, a Brooklyn apartment building, and two hotels near Kennedy Airport. Both men were placed on modified duty and removed from their positions at the Fire Department’s Bureau of Fire Prevention after searches of their homes.
In 2023, Cordasco received $257,296 and Saccavino received $263,478 from the Fire Department. Prosecutors have offered Cordasco a plea deal, which he is expected to accept. However, the decision to plead guilty could change before the hearing, and Cordasco may choose to contest the charges.
This development comes in the wake of Mayor Eric Adams of New York being charged with bribery and fraud in a separate corruption investigation. The charges against Adams include allegations of soliciting free luxury travel in exchange for helping to secure approvals from Fire Department officials for a new Turkish consulate. It is important to note that the case involving Cordasco and Saccavino is not related to the corruption investigations involving the mayor and his associates.
In conclusion, the agreement by former Fire Department Chief Brian E. Cordasco to plead guilty to bribery conspiracy marks a significant development in the case. The plea deal follows allegations of accepting bribes to expedite fire-safety approvals for various building projects in New York City. Cordasco’s decision to plead guilty highlights the seriousness of the charges against him and underscores the consequences of engaging in corrupt practices.
Source: The NY Times
