Deep voice, shallow defense? Ashli Ford picks trial over plea
God's little crimefighter who normally loves being the center of attention gets camera shy at court hearing
SANDUSKY — Convicted podcaster Ashli Ford rejected any consideration of a plea deal and intends to go to trial in front of a jury next month on the forgery and mortgage fraud charges filed against her last year.
During a hearing Tuesday morning in Erie County Judge Beverly McGookey’s courtroom, Ford confirmed she and her attorney declined to discuss any plea agreement with prosecutors and were opting for a jury trial.
Ford, according to court filings, forged her ex-husband’s signature in loan and grant documents in order to obtain a $30,000 COVID relief loan to refinance her mortgage. She was already living in the home with her new husband at the time, but the property was in foreclosure. The COVID relief money enabled Ford to refinance the mortgage as if she was still married to her first husband, using his credit.
