Huntington Contractor Gave Homeowner Fake Permit, Had No License: DA

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — A Huntington contractor and his construction business were indicted on felony charges after prosecutors said he gave a Great River homeowner a forged Town of Islip building permit during a residential construction project.

Robert Cortese, 39, and his corporation, Tool Time Construction, Inc., were arraigned Tuesday, March 31, in Suffolk County Supreme Court on one count each of second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument, DA Ray Tierney said.

According to prosecutors, Cortese entered into a contract with a homeowner in May 2021 to build a pool and pool house at the client’s Great River home. Prosecutors said Cortese told the homeowner he would obtain all necessary permits from the Town of Islip so the work would comply with the town building code.

But by October 2021, after the homeowner repeatedly asked for proof the permits had been secured, Cortese gave the client what he claimed was a legitimate Town of Islip building permit, prosecutors said.

The homeowner later contacted the Town of Islip Building Department and learned the permit was fraudulent, according to court documents.

Prosecutors also said the homeowner learned Cortese had never filed permit applications for either the pool or the pool house. Authorities said Cortese did not have a valid Suffolk County home improvement contractor license at the time.

Cortese and Tool Time Construction were arraigned before Acting Supreme Court Justice Timothy Mazzei. The judge released both because the felony charge is not bail-eligible under current New York law, meaning prosecutors could not seek bail, and the court could not set it, the DA’s office said.

If convicted on the top count, Cortese faces up to 2 1/3 to 7 years in prison, prosecutors said.

He is due back in court on May 5.

Cortese also has a separate criminal case pending in Suffolk County First District Court, where he is charged with engaging in a business as a home improvement contractor without a license, DA said. That charge is an unclassified misdemeanor.

He is scheduled to return to court in that case on April 17.

Cortese and his company are represented in the indictment case by attorney Marc Gann, according to the DA’s office. In the separate licensing case, Cortese is represented by Gann and Gerard McCloskey, prosecutors said.

“Homeowners give their trust and significant sums of money to contractors they hire," Tierney said. When that trust is betrayed with forged documents and unlicensed work, we office will pursue every avenue to hold those responsible accountable. My office will continue to pursue charges against those who seek to defraud Suffolk County residents of their hard-earned money.”

Anyone who believes they may have been victimized by Cortese or Tool Time Construction can call the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office at 631-853-5602.