District Attorney P. David Soares announced Tuesday, Dec. 3, that the New York State Supreme Court Appellate Division, Third Department, unanimously upheld the 2012 conviction of Christopher Hughes on Nov. 27.
The decision stems from an incident on Oct. 7, 2010, where Hughes was in possession of a forged police retirement identification card that he had provided to a police supply business for the purposes of purchasing a police retirement badge. As a routine practice, the supply company contacted the Bethlehem Police Department to verify Hughes’ employment status.
At that time Hughes was not listed as a retired officer. The matter was turned over to the New York State Police for further investigation and it was determined that the identification card was forged.
On May 9, 2012, Hughes was found guilty after a jury trial of one count of criminal possession of a forged instrument in the second degree, a Class D felony. On Aug. 22, 2012, Hughes was sentenced to 5 years of felony probation.
Hughes is well-known for allegations he made regarding a racial slur uttered by Bethlehem Police Chief Louis Corsi in 2006 during a taped phone conversation. Those allegations sparked an investigation, which led to the discovery of the tape, and a 10-day suspension for Corsi.
Hughes has been vocal regarding town matters in the past. He has arrived at public meetings with signs and has picketed outside of Town Hall. In December 2010, Hughes filed a lawsuit against the town, claiming that Corsi unfairly retaliated to comments and accusations Hughes had made publicly.