It's not fun being Ashli Ford's ex-husband, he testifies

Screenshot queen's screenshots don't change his recollection

SANDUSKY — When she’s not on trial, Ashli Ford loves to be in front of the camera to talk about her big platform and deep influence as a local political leader. But in the Erie County Courthouse on Tuesday, where she is on trial charged with 12 felonies for an alleged COVID money and mortgage fraud scheme, she hid from cameras all day and suggested she was being exploited by local news media.

Ashli Ford, on trial for forgery, mortgage and other fraud charges, stayed in a corner out of camera view in the second-floor courtroom at the Erie County Courthouse on Tuesday. Ford, seen here during a break in proceedings, has been accused of exploiting crime victims for years, including posting photos of a brutalized child rape victim as clickbait. She asked the judge to prevent her photo being taken during the trial. The judge denied the request, although Ford won’t be allowed to be photographed or video/audio recorded if she does testify, which she said recently she intends to do. (Photo/Matt Westerhold)

An Erie County sheriff’s detective and Ford’s ex-husband both testified Monday about records that prosecutors say show Ford forged her former spouse’s name on grant and loan documents, lied about being eligible for a $30,000 federal COVID no-interest mortgage relief grant to obtain a modified loan agreement with her mortgage company by stealing his identity.

Her ex-husband, identified in court documents by the initials P.B., was questioned by Erie County Prosecutor Kevin Baxter for about 70 minutes; defense attorney Peter Pattakos cross-examined him just over an hour. Baxter reviewed the grant documents and loan modification records and asked P.B. about signatures purported to be his.