Brian Cordasco, a former FDNY chief, was sentenced to 20 months in prison for accepting nearly $200,000 in bribes to fast-track fire inspections during the COVID-19 pandemic. Judge Lewis Liman condemned Cordasco's actions, stating he betrayed the public's trust and took advantage of his position amid a crisis. Prosecutors pointed to the scheme's opportunistic nature, while Cordasco's defense suggested it stemmed from a broader culture of corruption at City Hall. The sentencing underscores the serious consequences for public officials who engage in corrupt practices.
"You betrayed the trust that the Fire Department and the people of New York placed in you," Judge Lewis Liman said of Brian Cordasco, before ordering the retired smoke-eater to serve the prison time and pay restitution.
"The crime was opportunistic... You took advantage of your position, and you took advantage of the COVID crisis," Judge Liman stated.
"There was no reason he had to engage in this conduct but greed," prosecutor Jessica Greenwood told the court.
Cordasco's lawyers argued for a lesser sentence, suggesting that a broader culture of corruption at City Hall may have contributed to his crimes.
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