A Middle Island man facing felony charges for possession of a forged handicap parking permit cut a deal with the District Attorney?s office Wednesday as his trial was set to begin.

Ken Palermo says he and his wife, who is bedridden and awaiting a liver transplant, legitimately owned a handicap parking pass more than a year ago. Palermo says he lost the pass in a car wreck, received a new one and then had the first pass returned to him. According to Palermo, he then illegally changed the expiration date on the first pass so that one could be placed in each of their cars.

Palermo was first arrested 15 months ago and has always felt a felony charge was overboard for what he did. Prosecutors agreed to a plea deal Wednesday that allows Palermo to plead guilty to a misdemeanor. He will be sentenced to 60 days in jail, but is expected to receive only community service and probation.