ALBANY — A former Bethlehem police officer who accused his chief of uttering racist comments in 2009 was sentenced Wednesday to 5 years' probation for possession of a forged police retirement identification card.

Christopher Hughes, 41, of Feura Bush avoided the maximum term up to 2 1/3 to 7 years in prison.

Instead, Albany County Judge Stephen Herrick gave the former officer felony probation.

In May, a jury took less than an hour to convict Hughes of one count of possession of a forged instrument. He was fired from the police force after his conviction.

On Oct. 26, 2010, Hughes used a fake Bethlehem police retirement card to try to get a police retirement badge from a police supply business. The company contacted Bethlehem police to confirm Hughes was retired. The check revealed he had been on paid disability since 2009 but was not retired.

Bethlehem police asked State Police in Loudonville to investigate. State Police arrested Hughes when they discovered the forgery.

It was Chief Louis Corsi who Hughes accused of making racist comments. The remarks, in a 2009 phone call, were taped. Corsi was suspended for 10 days in September 2009.

Earlier that month, town officials determined Hughes was in an "emotional state" due to a months-long feud with Corsi — and stripped Hughes of his badge and gun. Hughes sued the town in U.S. District Court, accusing the town and Corsi of retaliating against him for speaking to the media and engaging in union activities.

rgavin@timesunion.com • 518-434-2403 • @RobertGavinTU