Latest news with #BureauofFirePrevention
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Yahoo
Ex-FDNY Chief sentenced to three years in prison for role in $200K bribery kickback scheme
A former FDNY Chief and 9/11 first responder was sentenced to three years in prison Wednesday for his role in a $200,000 pay-to-play bribery scheme in which he received more than $50,000, according to prosecutors. Anthony Saccavino, the former head of the FDNY's Bureau of Fire Prevention, pleaded guilty to participating in the crooked scheme with Brian Cordasco — another high-ranking fire prevention chief — to accept bribes from a firefighter in exchange for expediting inspections. The pair fast-tracked fire safety inspections at high-end restaurants and hotels near JFK International Airport and other city businesses, according to prosecutors with the Southern District of New York. Saccavino and Cordasco created a 'VIP lane' for faster service by the fire inspection bureau that could only be accessed with bribes, prosecutors said. 'Anthony Saccavino undermined the New York City Fire Department, an institution he swore to serve,' US Attorney Jay Clayton said in a statement. 'Chief Saccavino led a pay-to-play bribery scheme that would offend the sensibilities of every hard-working New Yorker.' In addition to his prison term and two years of probation, Saccavino was ordered to pay a $150,000 fine and to return $57,000 that he personally pocketed in bribes, prosecutors said. The city's Department of Investigation launched a probe into the illicit scheme in 2023, after receiving a tip that something fishy was going on with the Bureau of Fire Prevention. The FBI and the US Attorney for the Southern District later joined in the investigation. 'Today's sentence sends a strong message that City officials who monetize their positions and give preferential treatment in exchange for bribe payments will face serious consequences, including criminal prosecution and imprisonment,' said DOI Commissioner Jocelyn E. Strauber. Saccaviono's lawyer, Joseph M. Caldarera, said that his client is an American hero, a 'fireman's fireman' who took the deal to do what was best for his family. He noted that his fellow smokeeaters still support him enough to retain him as a union member. 'It's unfortunate that the Southern District of New York has just crucified a 9/11 first responder and American hero, for overstated crimes,' he said in a statement on behalf of his client. 'Mr. Saccavino took a plea deal because he believed it was in the best interest of his family,' he added. 'He made the difficult decision to protect his family from further hardship and uncertainty.' In March, a Manhattan judge sentenced Saccavino's partner in the scheme, Brian Cordasco, to 20 months in prison. 'You betrayed the trust that the Fire Department and the people of New York placed in you,' Judge Lewis Liman said of Cordasco at his sentencing before ordering the FDNY member to prison time and making him pay $157,000 in restitution and fines. The pair were indicted last September. Additional reporting by Jorge Fitz-Gibbon.
New York Post
15-05-2025
- New York Post
Ex-FDNY Chief sentenced to three years in prison for role in $200K bribery kickback scheme
A former FDNY Chief and 9/11 first responder was sentenced to three years in prison Wednesday for his role in a $200,000 pay-to-play bribery scheme in which he received more than $50,000, according to prosecutors. Anthony Saccavino, the former head of the FDNY's Bureau of Fire Prevention, pleaded guilty to participating in the crooked scheme with Brian Cordasco — another high-ranking fire prevention chief — to accept bribes from a firefighter in exchange for expediting inspections. The pair fast-tracked fire safety inspections at high-end restaurants and hotels near JFK International Airport and other city businesses, according to prosecutors with the Southern District of New York. Former FDNY Chief Anthony Saccavino was sentenced to three years in prison for his role in a bribery scheme. William Farrington Saccavino and Cordasco created a 'VIP lane' for faster service by the fire inspection bureau that could only be accessed with bribes, prosecutors said. 'Anthony Saccavino undermined the New York City Fire Department, an institution he swore to serve,' US Attorney Jay Clayton said in a statement. 'Chief Saccavino led a pay-to-play bribery scheme that would offend the sensibilities of every hard-working New Yorker.' In addition to his prison term and two years of probation, Saccavino was ordered to pay a $150,000 fine and to return $57,000 that he personally pocketed in bribes, prosecutors said. The city's Department of Investigation launched a probe into the illicit scheme in 2023, after receiving a tip that something fishy was going on with the Bureau of Fire Prevention. The FBI and the US Attorney for the Southern District later joined in the investigation. Anthony Saccavino pocketed more than $50,000 himself through the kickback scheme, prosecutors said. FDNY/Flickr 'Today's sentence sends a strong message that City officials who monetize their positions and give preferential treatment in exchange for bribe payments will face serious consequences, including criminal prosecution and imprisonment,' said DOI Commissioner Jocelyn E. Strauber. Saccaviono's lawyer, Joseph M. Caldarera, said that his client is an American hero, a 'fireman's fireman' who took the deal to do what was best for his family. He noted that his fellow smokeeaters still support him enough to retain him as a union member. 'It's unfortunate that the Southern District of New York has just crucified a 9/11 first responder and American hero, for overstated crimes,' he said in a statement on behalf of his client. 'Mr. Saccavino took a plea deal because he believed it was in the best interest of his family,' he added. 'He made the difficult decision to protect his family from further hardship and uncertainty.' In March, a Manhattan judge sentenced Saccavino's partner in the scheme, Brian Cordasco, to 20 months in prison. 'You betrayed the trust that the Fire Department and the people of New York placed in you,' Judge Lewis Liman said of Cordasco at his sentencing before ordering the FDNY member to prison time and making him pay $157,000 in restitution and fines. The pair were indicted last September.
14-05-2025
Ex-FDNY chief gets 3 years for taking bribes to fast-track safety inspections
NEW YORK -- A former New York City Fire Department chief was sentenced to three years in prison Wednesday for accepting tens of thousands of dollars in bribes to fast-track fire safety inspections at restaurants, hotels and other city businesses. Anthony Saccavino, 61, pleaded guilty in January to running the scheme while heading the department's Bureau of Fire Prevention, which regulates the installation of fire safety and suppression systems in New York City. With the help of another chief, Brian Cordasco, Saccavino solicited and received $190,000 in bribe payments between 2021 and 2023, prosecutors said. 'Chief Saccavino led a pay-to-play bribery scheme that would offend the sensibilities of every hard-working New Yorker,' Manhattan U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton said in a statement. A retired firefighter who ran an unsanctioned 'expediting' business acted as the intermediary for the more than 30 projects that benefited from the accelerated reviews. Saccavino was arrested in September alongside Cordasco, who also pleaded guilty and was sentenced in March to 20 months in prison. Their arrests came days before the criminal indictment of Mayor Eric Adams on bribery charges that included allegations he sped up fire safety inspections at the Turkish consulate in exchange for illegal contributions. Adams has denied wrongdoing. The case against the mayor, which was later ordered dropped by the Trump administration, was unrelated to the fire chiefs' bribery scandal. On top of his prison term, Saccavino was ordered to pay a $150,000 fine and to return $57,000 that he personally pocketed in bribes, prosecutors said. His attorney did not respond to phone call requesting comment.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Yahoo
Ex-FDNY chief gets 3 years in prison for taking bribes to fast-track safety inspections
NEW YORK (AP) — A former New York City Fire Department chief was sentenced to three years in prison Wednesday for accepting tens of thousands of dollars in bribes to fast-track fire safety inspections at restaurants, hotels and other city businesses. Anthony Saccavino, 61, pleaded guilty in January to running the scheme while heading the department's Bureau of Fire Prevention, which regulates the installation of fire safety and suppression systems in New York City. With the help of another chief, Brian Cordasco, Saccavino solicited and received $190,000 in bribe payments between 2021 and 2023, prosecutors said. 'Chief Saccavino led a pay-to-play bribery scheme that would offend the sensibilities of every hard-working New Yorker,' Manhattan U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton said in a statement. A retired firefighter who ran an unsanctioned 'expediting' business acted as the intermediary for the more than 30 projects that benefited from the accelerated reviews. Saccavino was arrested in September alongside Cordasco, who also pleaded guilty and was sentenced in March to 20 months in prison. Their arrests came days before the criminal indictment of Mayor Eric Adams on bribery charges that included allegations he sped up fire safety inspections at the Turkish consulate in exchange for illegal contributions. Adams has denied wrongdoing. The case against the mayor, which was later ordered dropped by the Trump administration, was unrelated to the fire chiefs' bribery scandal. On top of his prison term, Saccavino was ordered to pay a $150,000 fine and to return $57,000 that he personally pocketed in bribes, prosecutors said. His attorney did not respond to phone call requesting comment.
Winnipeg Free Press
14-05-2025
- Winnipeg Free Press
Ex-FDNY chief gets 3 years in prison for taking bribes to fast-track safety inspections
NEW YORK (AP) — A former New York City Fire Department chief was sentenced to three years in prison Wednesday for accepting tens of thousands of dollars in bribes to fast-track fire safety inspections at restaurants, hotels and other city businesses. Anthony Saccavino, 61, pleaded guilty in January to running the scheme while heading the department's Bureau of Fire Prevention, which regulates the installation of fire safety and suppression systems in New York City. With the help of another chief, Brian Cordasco, Saccavino solicited and received $190,000 in bribe payments between 2021 and 2023, prosecutors said. 'Chief Saccavino led a pay-to-play bribery scheme that would offend the sensibilities of every hard-working New Yorker,' Manhattan U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton said in a statement. A retired firefighter who ran an unsanctioned 'expediting' business acted as the intermediary for the more than 30 projects that benefited from the accelerated reviews. Saccavino was arrested in September alongside Cordasco, who also pleaded guilty and was sentenced in March to 20 months in prison. Their arrests came days before the criminal indictment of Mayor Eric Adams on bribery charges that included allegations he sped up fire safety inspections at the Turkish consulate in exchange for illegal contributions. Adams has denied wrongdoing. The case against the mayor, which was later ordered dropped by the Trump administration, was unrelated to the fire chiefs' bribery scandal. On top of his prison term, Saccavino was ordered to pay a $150,000 fine and to return $57,000 that he personally pocketed in bribes, prosecutors said. His attorney did not respond to phone call requesting comment.
