Family Living in Camper After Contractor Abandons Home Renovation, Steals $96K

Home Renovation Nightmare

• 🏠 The Salentino family hired a contractor, Robert Corteese, to gut and remodel their home, expecting to move back in.
• 💔 Instead, their home was gutted, but the renovation was abandoned, leaving them with exposed wiring and plywood floors.

Financial Devastation and Deception

• 💸 The family paid Corteese a total of $96,200 for the project.
• 🤥 Corteese claimed materials were ordered and in production, but the family received very little, with only a fireplace and tile being items Deanna ordered herself.
• ⚠️ They have since learned that Corteese is on Suffolk County's consumer affairs wall of shame for operating without a valid contractor's license.

Current Living Situation

• 🏕️ The Salentino family, including three children (ages nine, seven, and an 8-month-old baby), have been forced to live in a tiny camper behind their home for over a month.
• 💔 The situation has left the family devastated and feeling like they are living in a movie.

Investigation and Warning

• 🔍 The Suffolk County Seventh Squad is now investigating the case in Shoreham.
• ⚠️ Officials are urging consumers to always check contractor credentials before hiring them, a lesson the Salentino family unfortunately learned too late due to their friendship with Corteese.
• 💰 The family hopes to get their money back and fears they are not the only victims of Corteese's alleged actions.