Ashli Ford wants 'gag order' lifted, new judge, and a court appointed attorney
Court motions filed Monday
SANDUSKY — Ashli Ford has filed three new motions in her pending forgery and mortgage fraud case, asking the court for a court-appointed attorney, the release of case details, and the lifting of a bond condition that limits her communications.
In one filing submitted Monday, Ford requested that the court appoint an attorney from outside Erie County, noting that the Erie County Public Defender’s Office previously disclosed a conflict of interest in representing her. She did not specify the nature of the conflict.
Ford also filed a motion asking prosecutors to provide a bill of particulars outlining the specific crimes she is accused of committing. She told the court she has 80 pages of documents proving her innocence but did not submit those records with her filing.
In a separate motion, Ford asked the judge to lift a “no contact” order tied to her bond conditions. The order prohibits Ford from contacting lenders or federal agencies involved in the case, as well as witnesses, and restricts her from posting on social media about case-related matters. Ford argues that the order amounts to unconstitutional prior restraint.
At her arraignment on Aug. 26, Ford also asked Judge Beverly McGookey to recuse herself from the case. McGookey instructed her to file a formal motion requesting recusal, but Ford has not yet done so.
All three motions were filed “pro se,” meaning Ford is representing herself without an attorney.
