In the Matter of Perry Cortese

On Jan. 26, 2018, the Board of Disciplinary Appeals signed an interlocutory order of suspension against Little River Academy, TX attorney Perry Cortese, 55, State Bar of Texas Card No. 00790508. On Oct. 20, 2017, Mr. Cortese was found guilty of Conspiracy to Commit Mail and Wire Fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§1341, 1343 and 1349 and conspiracy to commit money laundering in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§1956(a)(2)(A), 1956(a)(2)(B)(i) and 1956(h), Intentional Crimes as defined in the Texas Rules of Disciplinary Procedure in the case styled, United States of America v. Perry Don Cortese, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Tampa Division; Cause No. 8:15-CR-320-T-23TGW and was sentenced to prison for 25 years. After release from prison, Cortese will be under supervised release for three years. He was also ordered to pay restitution of $3,767,196.00. Cortese has appealed his criminal conviction. The Board retains jurisdiction to enter a final judgment when the criminal appeal is final. BODA cause number 59813.