[vash]

cant you still ding his contractor's license?

i was in a similar situation..but it wasnt my contractors fault. i had the sewer line replace from my home to street. i saw the city inspector do the final inspection. a year later (or so) i got a letter saying my permit wasnt closed, and was about to expire. WTF? i called, and an inspector showed up. i got lucky, it was the same inspector. he remembered my home and promptly signed my document and promised to go back to the office immediately to close the loop. he did comment that my new landscaping and irrigation probably needed a permit, but he didnt say anything more..phew. who knew?

good luck. hopefully you remember the partner's name. look up his contractor's license. in california we search through the department of public affairs (DPA).