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Former Rep. Benjamin Lewis said he considers Sen. Harri Anne Smith, I-Slocomb, a friend even though he is testifying for the prosecution at her trial on vote-buying charges.

“I have no ill will toward Harri Anne … . I consider Harri Anne a friend today. She may not feel the same about me,” Lewis said on the witness stand.

Lewis said he went to FBI agents after he thought Country Crossing owner Ronnie Gilley was trying to bribe him for a yes vote on a gambling bill. The agents asked him to record conversations with Smith, Gilley and others.

Lewis is being cross-examined by defense lawyers this afternoon in the State House vote-buying case.

Smith, VictoryLand owner Milton McGregor and seven others are charged with participating in a conspiracy to buy and sell votes for gambling legislation in 2009 and 2010.

Also this afternoon, prosecutors tried to do a preemptive strike on anticipated credibility attacks on Lewis for his appointment to a district judgeship after he helped the FBI with its investigation. Former Gov. Bob Riley, an ardent bingo opponent, appointed Lewis to the job.

Lewis said he began assisting the FBI in March 2009 and continued through April 2010. Lewis said he didn’t know about the vacant judgeship until April 2010, after which he interviewed with Riley staffers. He said he did not help the FBI to try to curry favor with Riley or get a judgeship, but because he thought it was his duty.

Lewis at one point today seemed upset about discussing Smith during his questioning by prosecutors. Smith lawyer Jim Parkman began his cross with a bit of theatrics by offering Lewis a handkerchief.

Lewis said on cross-examination that Smith never told him how to vote on the bill or offered him money if he would vote for gambling legislation.

Follow the trial on twitter.

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