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FDNY Official Pleads Guilty to Bribery in New York
A former high-ranking FDNY official has pleaded guilty to participating in a bribery scheme that spanned several years. According to the indictment, Brian Cordasco, the former Chief of the FDNY Bureau of Fire Prevention, solicited and received $190,000 in bribe payments from a former FDNY firefighter named Henry Santiago, Jr., between 2021 and 2023.
Cordasco, 49, of Staten Island, New York, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to solicit and receive a bribe, which carries a maximum sentence of 5 years in prison. He will be sentenced by Judge Lewis J. Liman on February 19, 2025, at 10:30 am.
As part of the scheme, Cordasco used his authority within the BFP to expedite inspections and plan reviews for Santiago’s customers in exchange for bribe payments. The FDNY official personally profited $57,000 from the scheme.
Cordasco also lied to his BFP subordinates and law enforcement about his involvement in the scheme.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New York City Department of Investigation in uncovering the bribery scheme.
Cordasco’s guilty plea is a significant blow to public trust in the FDNY. The agency has faced several high-profile corruption scandals in recent years.
As part of his plea agreement, Cordasco agreed to forfeit $57,000.
The SDNY Whistleblower Pilot Program is available to individuals who want to come forward with information about bribery and other forms of corruption within the FDNY. Those with information can contact the program at USANYS.WBP@usdoj.gov.
Defendant Name: Brian Cordasco
Exact Criminal Charge: Conspiracy to solicit and receive a bribe
City and State: New York
Exact Date: Between 2021 and 2023
Sentence or Outcome: Pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to solicit and receive a bribe. Faces 5 years in prison and has agreed to forfeit $57,000.
Dollar Amounts: $190,000 in total bribe payments, $57,000 in personal profit
Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Public Corruption
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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