FBI, NYC investigators search homes, offices of FDNY chiefs: sources
NEW YORK (PIX11) – FBI and New York City investigators searched the homes and offices of two high-ranking FDNY chiefs Thursday, sources said.
The homes of Chief Anthony Saccavino and Chief Brian Cordasco were searched, according to sources.
Investigators are looking into whether or not the chiefs were paid under the table to speed up fire safety inspections on buildings, sources said.
While the chiefs’ homes were being searched, city authorities combed through their offices inside the FDNY’s headquarters in Brooklyn, The New York Times reported.
Investigators are also focusing on a retired firefighter who may have been steering projects to the chiefs in exchange for money, sources told PIX11 News.
In a statement to PIX11, an FDNY spokesperson said Commissioner Laura Kavanagh and the department have been cooperating in the investigation.
“The FDNY’s first priority is always keeping New Yorkers safe, and we expect every member of the department to act appropriately. As soon as Commissioner Kavanagh was alerted to these allegations last fall, she immediately referred them to DOI to investigate them. Commissioner Kavanagh has proactively placed the employees at the center of this investigation on modified duty, and we are awaiting guidance from DOI regarding further action,” the statement said.
Lauren Cook is a digital journalist who has covered local news in the New York City area for over a decade. She has been with PIX11 since 2020. See more of her work here and follow her on Twitter.