By Maura Grunlund
Staten Island Advance
NEW YORK — Federal prosecutors allege that two chiefs brazenly accepted bribes at FDNY Headquarters in Brooklyn in a “pay for play” corruption scheme that squeezed nearly $200,000 out of property owners and developers throughout New York City.
Retired chiefs Brian Cordasco, 49, of Staten Island, and his boss, Anthony Saccavino, 59, of Manhattan, were indicted for their alleged graft that involved over 30 properties citywide from 2021 to 2023 while they served as the two top-ranking members of the Bureau of Fire Prevention (BFP). Public records indicate that Cordasco lives in Huguenot.
A third participant, Henry Santiago Jr ., 46, a retired firefighter from Staten Island , is cooperating with the government and accepted a plea agreement on Sept. 10 , according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office .
The indictment alleges that Saccavino and Cordasco lied when questioned by the FBI about the corruption scheme.
U.S. Attorney for the Southern District Damian Williams , city Department of Investigation Commissioner Jocelyn Strauber and New York FBI Assistant Director in Charge James Dennehy unveiled the indictment at a news conference on Sept. 16 .
Compliance with fire codes, including crucial installation and maintenance of fire-safety equipment at commercial and residential properties citywide, is regulated by the BFP. Services were supposed to be provided in the order that requests were received, but the defendants allegedly took bribes to fast-track certain projects at a time of unusually long wait times due to a backlog from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Don’t tarnish the badge
The indictment describes a special roster of projects, sometimes referred to as the “City Hall List ,” that unnamed " City Hall officials” would ask the BFP to prioritize — raising the specter that Saccavino and Cordasco took advantage of this loophole.
The properties allegedly targeted by the chiefs included apartment buildings, restaurants, bars, hotels and other businesses that typically arranged BFP services through filing representatives, commonly known as expeditors.
Some of the filing representatives paid thousands of dollars per project in the shakedown, authorities allege. The indictment contends that one filing representative was nailed for more than $50,000 in connection with eight separate projects, including $16,000 just for fire alarm systems at two hotels near John F. Kennedy International Airport in Queens .
The indictment alleges that Saccavino, while serving as an assistant chief, accepted bribes totaling more than $100,000 and Cordasco, while employed as a deputy assistant chief, received graft exceeding $90,000. They padded their six-figure, annual salaries of $263,478 for Saccavino and $257,295 for Cordasco.
The BFP honchos allegedly secretly partnered in the scheme with Santiago, whose company was promoted as offering expediting services. Santiago is identified in a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office but not specifically named in the indictment.
Saccavino and Cordasco sometimes identified and steered potential marks to Santiago, who solicited and accepted the bribes, according to the indictment.
Authorities allege that Santiago shared a portion of the ill-gotten gains with Saccavino and Cordasco. The chiefs each received about 30% of the graft via checks, cash and electronic transfers through apps such as Zelle, officials said.
“At times [Santiago] personally delivered these cash and check payments to Saccavino and Cordasco, including during meetings at the BFP headquarters in Brooklyn and during steakhouse dinners in Manhattan ,” the indictment alleges.
Some of the illegal proceeds allegedly were deposited in business accounts owned by Cordasco and a relative of Saccavino, according to the indictment.
The indictment also alleges that the chiefs unjustly enriched themselves through a side venture, a fire guard scheme, run through the retired firefighter’s company. Santiago provided fire guards for buildings and he arranged for Saccavino and Cordasco to work mainly as supervisors of those fire guards, authorities said. The defendants were paid for their clocked hours and also received a cut of the profits from that venture.
The FDNY is responsible to regulating fire guards and the defendants did not disclose this conflict of interest to the city, according to the indictment.
Saccavino and Cordasco each are charged with one count of conspiracy to solicit and receive a bribe, one count of solicitation and receipt of a bribe, one count of honest services wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud, and one count of making false statements, according to the U.S. Attorney’s website.
Santiago pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bribery, one count of bribery, one count of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud, and one count of honest services wire fraud.
February raids
The FBI raided the homes of Saccavino and Cordasco in February as part of the ongoing investigation, according to multiple media reports at the time.
The defendants were placed on modified assignment in February and retired before Robert Tucker , a former prosecutor and special assistant in the Queens District Attorney’s Office , became commissioner of the FDNY in August.
“Every member of the FDNY takes a sworn oath to conduct themselves honestly and ethically,” Tucker said in a statement. “Anything less will not be tolerated. The Department will fully cooperate with any ongoing investigations. Keeping New Yorkers safe remains our top priority.”
An attorney for Cordasco did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Joseph Caldarera defended the innocence of his client, Saccavino.
” Chief Saccavino unequivocally denies all allegations against him,” Caldarera. “While City Hall may grapple with its own corruption issues, we want to be crystal clear: Chief Saccavino’s integrity and actions are beyond reproach.
” Chief Saccavino is an honorable man and a dedicated public servant. As a 9/11 first responder, he has spent his life courageously protecting our city and serving the FDNY with unwavering commitment.
“We are confident that the truth will come to light. As the head of the criminal division at the Law Offices of Robert Tsigler , I can tell you that we are prepared to vigorously fight against U.S. Attorney Damian Williams and the United States government. We stand firmly by Chief Saccavino during this ordeal and will continue to advocate for his reputation and legacy of service. “
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