Gothamist

A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.

Gothamist

WNYC Listen Live

Donate

 

 

News

FDNY Commissioner's Son Resigns After Racist Tweeting


By

John Del Signore

Published Mar 18, 2013

Modified Mar 18, 2013


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


Never miss a story

 Email address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .


By

John Del Signore

Published Mar 18, 2013

Modified Mar 18, 2013


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


We rely on your support to make local news available to all

Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

That was fast! On the same day that the NY Post excoriated the son of FDNY Commissioner Salvatore Cassano over a bunch of stupid racist tweets, the kid has resigned from his EMS job (yeah, the same job he repeatedly bitched about on Twitter). Asked about Joseph Cassano's offensive tweets at a press conference today, Mayor Bloomberg told reporters, "I found the messages offensive. It is my understanding that he has chosen to resign from the fire department. I think that’s the appropriate thing and I’ll leave it there.”

The Daily News reports that the FDNY has fired Emergency Medical Service personnel in the past for tweeting or posting personal information about patients, so Cassano's tweet about how he "got kicked in the shin by a drunk and had to carry a 275 pound guy down 5 flights of stairs... my job is the worst" seems like justifiable grounds for dismissal.

Cassano was a "probationary hire" with the FDNY, having passed the EMS test in December. He was on the fast track to follow in his father's footsteps in the department, but it's safe to assume his FDNY dreams have been dashed thanks to tweets such as, "Gotta love people with the iPhone 5 and brand new Jordan’s whip out their benefits card #f--kobama #ipaidforyourstuff.” Guess we can all breathe a sigh of relief that this kind of mentality didn't worm its way into the FDNY.

Tagged

fdny

joseph cassano

racism

salvatore cassano

twitter


John Del Signore

Twitter

Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.

Read more

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


MORE news

Serbians forced to wait hours to vote at NYC consulate as Balkan nation holds election

Early voting may have kicked off in New York this weekend, but Serbian immigrants seeking to vote had a much tighter window on Sunday.

By

Jill Webb

and

Michael Sol Warren

Published Oct 25, 2026 at 2:57 p.m. ET

Modified Oct 25, 2026 at 4:59 p.m. ET


Retired NYPD detective charged in George Washington Bridge killing out on $1M bail

Victor Romero, who retired from the police department in 2001

By

Michael Sol Warren

News

Retired NYPD detective charged in George Washington Bridge killing out on $1M bail

Victor Romero, who retired from the police department in 2001

By

Michael Sol Warren


Suicides decline in NYC, but inequities persist across groups

By

Jill Webb

Cuts to rural healthcare become key issue for upstate votes in race for NY governor

By

Samuel King

NY Archdiocese will soon settle $800M clergy sexual abuse claims

By

Arya Sundaram


Never miss a story

Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.

Sign upEmail address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .