SANDUSKY — Jury selection began Monday afternoon in the forgery and fraud trial of convicted podcaster Ashli Ford, who could face serious prison time if she’s convicted this week on charges related to an alleged scheme to use her ex-husband’s credit to get a $30,000 COVID grant and a new mortgage without him knowing.
More than 65 potential jurors packed the big courtroom on the third floor of the Erie County Courthouse, filing in beginning at about noon. After about three hours a jury of 12 and alternates was selected at about 3:30 p.m.
Ford sat at the defense table, seemingly pleased to be there and be the center of attention. Six of the first 12 jurors asked said they either knew Ashli Ford or had heard about her. They were each questioned by Erie County Prosecutor Kevin Baxter, defense attorney Peter Pattakos and Judge McGookey privately at the bench. Several were dismissed from service; others were OK’d.
