HAMMOND | Former Gary mayor Scott King is expected to testify today in Hammond federal court as a witness against his one-time political confidant Jewel Harris Sr.

Harris is being tried on federal wire fraud and mail fraud charges alleging he billed a private contractor $90,000 to remove tons of debris from Gary's The Steel Yard baseball stadium site and then charging the city Redevelopment Commission $1.5 million to dispose of the same dirt and waste.

Harris is pleading not guilty. His defense lawyer, Kevin Milner, argues Harris didn't realize the double billing was taking place. King is expected to testify he was unaware of the improper billing.

Terrace Cooper, a former clerk for the Gary Redevelopment Commission, testified Monday that the bills in question were never mailed or wired to Harris' business. Cooper said Harris had employees personally deliver

and pick up the financial documents connected to his work with the city.