New York – A former head of the Fire Department of New York City was sentenced to three years in prison on Wednesday for accepting tens of thousands of dollars in bribes to accelerate fire security inspections in restaurants, hotels and other companies in the city.
Anthony Saccavino, 61, He declared himself guilty In January, direct the scheme while directing the department’s fire prevention office, which regulates the installation of security systems and fire suppression in New York City.
With the help of another boss, Brian Cordasco, Saccavino requested and received $ 190,000 in bribes between 2021 and 2023, prosecutors said.
“The Saccavino boss led a payment bribery scheme to play that would offend the sensitivity of each worker New York,” said Manhattan’s prosecutor Jay Clayton, in a statement.
A retired firefighter who directed an unauthorized “accelerated” business acted as an intermediary for the more than 30 projects that benefited from accelerated reviews.
Saccavino was arrested in September with Cordasco, who also declared himself guilty and was sentenced In March 20 months in prison.
His arrests occurred days before the criminal accusation of Mayor Eric Adams in bribery charges That included accusations that it accelerated fire security inspections in the Turkish consulate in exchange for illegal contributions. Adams has denied irregularities.
The case against the mayor, who was later ordered by the Trump administration, was not related to the bribery scandal of the fire chiefs.
In addition to his prison mandate, Saccavino was ordered to pay a fine of $ 150,000 and returned $ 57,000 who personally packed in bribes, prosecutors said.
His lawyer did not respond to the phone call requesting comments.
