Robert Cortese, 39, and his corporation, Tool Time Construction, Inc., were arraigned in Suffolk County Supreme Court on one count each of second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument. Prosecutors allege that Cortese entered into a contract with a homeowner in 2021 to build a pool and pool house at the client's home in Great River. However, after repeatedly requesting proof of the permits, Cortese allegedly gave the client what he claimed was a legitimate Town of Islip building permit. The homeowner discovered the fraudulent permit and learned Cortese had never filed permit applications for either the pool or the pool house. If convicted on the top count, Cortes faces up to 7 years in prison.