Charter Communications’ former chief operating officer pleaded guilty Thursday to defrauding investors by artificially boosting subscriber numbers. David Barford will be sentenced March 11 on the federal charge of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, which carries prison time of up to five years and up to a $250,000 fine.

Mr. Barford is likely to receive less time, however, because he is expected to testify against two former Charter executives, Kent Kalkwarf, Charter’s former chief financial officer, and James Smith, a former senior VP. Both men are scheduled to go to trial in February.

Mr. Barford is the second former Charter executive to plead guilty following a July 2003 indictment accusing Mr. Barford, Mr. Kalkwarf, Mr. Smith and former Senior VP David McCall of inflating subscriber numbers. Mr. McCall pleaded guilty last year to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. He is awaiting sentencing.