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Another ex-FDNY chief pleads guilty to federal charges in 'pay-to-play' scheme
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Jan 29, 2025
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By
Giulia Heyward
Published Jan 29, 2025
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A former FDNY chief pleaded guilty to accepting $190,000 in bribes in exchange for fast-tracking building reviews and inspections while heading the city’s fire prevention bureau.
Anthony Saccavino, 59, is the second former FDNY chief to plead guilty for his participation in a “pay-to-play” corruption scheme where bribes were exchanged for expedited reviews and inspections. Ex-FDNY Chief Brian Cordasco, 50, pleaded guilty last year. A third individual, Henry Santiago, Jr. – a former firefighter who acted as an intermediary — also pleaded guilty to facilitating the bribes in exchange for the rushed reviews and inspections.
“Anthony Saccavino betrayed the city agency he was chosen to lead by repeatedly selling access to the Bureau of Fire Prevention’s services in a pay-to-play bribery scheme,” said Danielle R. Sassoon, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, in a statement. “This office will continue to ensure that city officials who place their own interests above those of the public will be held accountable.”
Saccavino made $57,000 through the scheme, in which he would lie to his subordinates in order to justify the quick turnaround for certain reviews and inspections, according to federal officials. He also lied to the authorities about his involvement in the “pay-to-play” scheme, according to the indictment.
Saccavino is scheduled to be sentenced in May and could face up to five years in prison for one count of conspiracy to solicit and receive a bribe. He also agreed to forfeit any money made from the alleged scheme.
Gothamist could not immediately reach his attorney.
This is a developing story and may be updated.
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public safety
Giulia Heyward
Giulia Heyward is a breaking news reporter on the Day-Of desk. She previously worked at NPR, as a breaking news reporter, and the New York Times, as a reporting fellow on the national desk. Her work has also appeared in CNN, The Atlantic and Politico. Got a tip? Email [email protected] or more securely on signal at 917-715-1458.
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