What began as a backyard pool project in Great River is now part of something far bigger — and far more troubling — unfolding across Long Island.
Suffolk County prosecutors say Robert Cortese, 39, of Huntington, and his company, Tool Time Construction, Inc., were indicted for allegedly presenting a forged Town of Islip building permit to a homeowner.
But that case may be just one piece of a growing pattern.
According to court documents, Cortese was hired in May 2021 to build a pool and pool house at a Great River home. He allegedly assured the homeowner that all necessary permits would be secured through the Town of Islip.
For months, everything appeared routine.
Then came the moment that changed everything.
After repeated requests, Cortese allegedly handed over what he claimed was a valid building permit in October 2021. The homeowner later contacted the Town of Islip Building Department — and learned the document was allegedly fake. Investigators say no permit applications had ever been filed.
Authorities also allege Cortese did not have a valid Suffolk County home improvement contractor license at the time.
But beyond this single project, additional reports suggest a wider trail of similar complaints.
News12 report on another possible victim:
Multiple Long Island homeowners have come forward in recent years claiming they were left with incomplete, unsafe, or severely deficient construction work after hiring Cortese. Some reported spending tens of thousands of dollars on projects that were never properly finished, while others said major portions of their homes had to be rebuilt entirely.
In one case reported publicly, a family was forced to live in a trailer outside their home after extensive interior work was left in dangerous condition. In another, a homeowner claimed an entire backyard project had to be redone at significant cost.
Attorneys representing some of the homeowners have indicated that numerous individuals – in some cases more than a dozen – have reported similar experiences, suggesting a recurring pattern rather than an isolated incident.
There have also been allegations that when confronted, Cortese would stop responding or leave projects unfinished, forcing homeowners to absorb the financial and emotional fallout.
On March 31, 2026, Cortese and his company were arraigned before Supreme Court Justice Timothy Mazzei on a felony charge of Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the Second Degree. He was released, as the charge is non-bail eligible under New York law.
He is due back in court on May 5, 2026 and faces up to 2 1/3 to 7 years in prison if convicted.
Cortese also faces a separate misdemeanor charge for allegedly operating as a home improvement contractor without a license. He is scheduled to appear in court on April 17, 2026.
As investigators continue to examine the case, authorities are asking anyone who may have had dealings with Cortese or Tool Time Construction to come forward.
Anyone who believes they may have been victimized is urged to contact the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office at 631-853-5602.
Cortese is represented by attorney Marc Gann, along with Gerard McCloskey in the separate case.
Criminal charges are accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Photo: Jossué Trejo from Pixabay
