A Huntington man and his corporation were indicted for allegedly presenting a forged Town of Islip building permit to a customer in 2021.
In May 2021, Robert Cortese allegedly entered into a contract with a client to build a pool and a pool house at the client’s home in Great River. Cortese allegedly assured the homeowner that he would obtain all the necessary permits from the Town of Islip in order to comply with the town’s building code.
In October 2021, Cortese allegedly presented the homeowner with what he claimed was a legitimate Town of Islip building permit after the homeowner repeatedly requested a copy of the
permit. The homeowner reached out to the Town of Islip’s Building Department and learned that the permit Cortese provided was allegedly fraudulent.
In addition, the homeowner also learned that Cortese had allegedly never even filed applications for building permits for the pool or the pool house, and that Cortese allegedly did not have a valid license to engage in business as a home improvement contractor in Suffolk County.
On March 31, 2026, Cortese, 39, and his company, Tool Time Construction, Inc., were arraigned on the indictment before Supreme Court Justice Timothy P. Mazzei, for one count of Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the Second Degree, a Class D felony. Mazzei ordered Cortese and his company be released because the charge is considered non-bail eligible under current New York State law, meaning prosecutors cannot ask for, and judges cannot set bail.
“Homeowners give their trust and significant sums of money to contractors they hire. When that trust is betrayed with forged documents and unlicensed work, our office will pursue every avenue to hold those responsible accountable,” said Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney. “My office will continue to pursue charges against those who seek to defraud Suffolk County residents of their hard-earned money.”
Cortese is due back in court on May 5, 2026, and faces up to 2⅓ to 7 years in prison if convicted of the top count.
Cortese also has a separate criminal case pending in Suffolk County First District Court, in which he is charged with Engaging in a Business as a Home Improvement Contractor Without a License, an Unclassified misdemeanor. He is due back in court for that charge on April 17, 2026.
Anyone who believes they have been victimized by this defendant or his business is asked to call the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office at (631) 853-5602.