FDNY arrests: 2 retired chiefs arrested in connection with bribery and corruption investigation

NEW YORK (WABC) — Two now-retired New York Police Department chiefs were arrested early Monday morning following a year-long corruption investigation, law enforcement sources told ABC News.

Retired police chief Brian Cordasco was arrested at his Staten Island home and retired police chief Anthony Saccavino was arrested at his Manhattan home, the sources said.

The FBI had searched their homes and offices earlier this year. The New York Police Department had assigned the chiefs a modified shift at the time. The New York Police Department also searched the New York Police Department headquarters.

The investigation focused on whether police chiefs had accepted money to speed up building inspections, the sources said.

Saccavino and Cordasco “repeatedly abused their positions of trust as high-ranking officials of the New York City Fire Department” by demanding and accepting bribes amounting to tens of thousands of dollars in return for preferential treatment of certain individuals and companies, according to an indictment unsealed on Monday in federal court in Manhattan.

The two allegedly accepted bribes totaling $190,000 to speed up the inspections.

The alleged plot was apparently uncovered during an investigation into whether Mayor Eric Adams' campaign accepted illegal money from Turkey in exchange for speeding up the inspection of the new Turkish consulate.

According to the indictment, Cordasco publicly complained about a so-called City Hall List of construction projects that were to be prioritized by New York Police Department inspectors.

The case is said to be separate from a similar investigation involving Adams and his 2021 campaign, which is currently under investigation for fundraising and whether illegal foreign money was transferred in exchange for expediting the inspection of the new Turkish consulate.

“Every member of the New York City Fire Department takes an oath to conduct themselves honestly and ethically. Anything less will not be tolerated. The Fire Department will cooperate fully with any ongoing investigations. The safety of New Yorkers remains our top priority,” said Fire Commissioner Robert Tucker.

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