Matthew Podolsky, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, has confirmed that Brian Cordasco, a former chief at the FDNY Bureau of Fire Prevention, has been sentenced to 20 months in prison. Cordasco's sentence comes after his guilty plea on October 8, 2024, acknowledging his role in a bribery scheme. U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman imposed the sentence.
"As a chief of the Bureau of Fire Prevention, Brian Cordasco was entrusted to protect the people of New York City and to fairly represent their interests," stated Acting U.S. Attorney Matthew Podolsky. "Instead, he repeatedly abused his position of power by expediting fire inspection services for those who paid him thousands of dollars in bribes. The sentence imposed today sends a clear message that government officials who betray the public trust to line their own pockets will be met with just punishment."
Court documents and statements reveal that between 2021 and 2023, Cordasco was involved in a scheme to solicit and receive bribes totaling $190,000 from Henry Santiago, Jr., a former FDNY firefighter. In exchange, Cordasco expedited fire inspections and plan reviews for Santiago’s clients. Through this scheme, Cordasco personally received $57,000. He also misled his subordinates and provided false statements to law enforcement during investigations.
Anyone with information regarding bribery, fraud, or illegal conduct by FDNY or BFP employees is urged to contact squad6complaint@doi.nyc.gov or call (212) 825-2402. Those involved in such activities are encouraged to self-disclose through the SDNY Whistleblower Pilot Program at USANYS.WBP@usdoj.gov.
Aside from the prison sentence, Cordasco, 49, who resides in Staten Island, New York, has been sentenced to two years of supervised release and must pay a $57,000 forfeiture and a $100,000 fine.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New York City Department of Investigation receive commendations for their contributions to the case. The prosecution is under the Office’s Public Corruption Unit with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jessica Greenwood, Matthew King, and Daniel H. Wolf leading the effort.
