Two ex-FDNY chiefs arrested by feds for taking nearly $200K in bribes to speed up inspections

Two retired FDNY fire chiefs were slapped with a federal indictment Monday for allegedly accepting $190,000 in bribes – the latest high-profile corruption case to hit Mayor Eric Adams’ increasingly beleaguered administration.

Anthony Saccavino and Brian Cordasco – once the two top highest ranking members in the FDNY’s Bureau of Fire Prevention – formed a crooked “secret partnership” with a retired firefighter to fast track inspections in exchange for bribes, according to the indictment filed in Manhattan federal court.

The retired smoke-eater-turned-businessman, Henry Santiago Jr., personally delivered bribe payments by cash and checks to the pair during steakhouse dinners in Manhattan and, brazenly, at the fire prevention bureau’s Brooklyn office, court papers state.

The nearly two-year scheme involved roughly 30 different projects across the Big Apple — including fire alarm checks at apartment buildings, restaurants, bars and hotels, court filings state.

“They allegedly created a VIP lane for faster service that could only be accessed with bribes,” said Damian Williams, US Attorney for the Southern District of New York.

“That’s classic pay-to-play corruption.”

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The 43-page indictment provides new details about a long-running corruption case that burst into view in February when the two former chiefs had their homes raided by the FBI and city investigators.

The FDNY’s Brooklyn headquarters was also searched at the same time.

Saccavino had schemed with Santiago, a close friend, as early as 2020, two years before Adams took office, about partnering in a fire safety business serving commercial and residential building owners in the city, according to the indictment.

By 2021, Santiago had converted his pre-existing hospitality and nightlife business into a fire safety company, with Saccavino and Cordasco as secret partners, court papers state.

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Around this time, Saccavino and Cordasco were promoted by then-FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh – a move that unfolded as she demoted three other chiefs and sparked a mutiny among the top ranks .

Santiago promised clients, including a high-end Manhattan restaurant and two hotels near JFK Airport, that he could help expedite fire inspections, according to the indictment.

But he never told them he was secretly working with Saccavino and Cordasco, who would direct underlings to speed up reviews and inspections, the feds allege.

Clients would pay Santiago, who in turn would make bribes to Saccavino and Cordasco to mete out preferential treatment, the indictment contends.

Saccavino and Cordasco have both been charged with conspiracy to solicit and receive a bribe, solicitation and receipt of a bribe, honest services wire fraud, conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud, and making false statements.

They’re expected to be arraigned Monday afternoon.

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Adams, who recently saw many of his top aides and allies raided by the feds, tried to distance himself from the fire inspection probe when asked about it during an unrelated news conference.

“It started under a previous administration, our administration became aware of it they took the proper steps and reported the action,” he said Monday “(The Department of Investigation) conducted their actions when they became aware of it. That is the way the system is supposed to work.”

Fire Commissioner Robert Tucker, who started his role after the pair retired, said the department will fully cooperate with any ongoing investigations.

“Every member of the FDNY takes a sworn oath to conduct themselves honestly and ethically,” he said in a statement. “Anything less will not be tolerated.”

Saccavino’s attorney Joseph M. Caldarera called the accusations “surprising and distressing.” He said his client was a 9/11 first responder and an American hero.

“He deserves the presumption of innocence until proven guilty, just like any citizen,” Caldarera said in a statement. “We urge the media and the public to refrain from jumping to conclusions before all the evidence is presented. Chief Saccavino’s legacy as a firefighter and a leader should not be overshadowed by these claims.”

Saccavino and Cordasco respectively retired in March and June this year, and are set to receive annual pensions of $261,789 and $125,573, according to records.

— Additional reporting by Joe Marino, Susan Edelman, Aneeta Bhole and Emily Crane

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