Victim takes stand in podcaster's fraud case

SANDUSKY — Amid some technical issues that caused delays, a local podcaster's trial on mortgage fraud allegations kicked off on Tuesday. Ashli Ford, 41, of Milan, faces 12 felony charges, including tampering with records, forgery, aggravated theft and identity fraud. It relates to allegations that she signed a co-signer's name on federal loan documents without their permission and falsely claimed a familial relationship. She then allegedly used the funds secured in the loan to dismiss a home foreclosure action and modify the loan. The trial is being heard in the Erie County Court of Common Pleas, with Judge Beverly McGookey presiding. Opening statements Jury selection finished on Monday and Tuesday morning began with opening statements from both attorneys. Erie County prosecutor Kevin Baxter said that the state's case will show that Ford used the alleged fraud victim's signature without permission. "The evidence will show that there's a voluminous amount of bank records that show what she did, where she portrayed herself as (the victim)," Baxter said. Defense attorney Peter Pattakos criticized what he claimed was a "sloppy and flawed criminal investigation" and claimed Ford is being prosecuted "because of who she is." "The two sides of this case have very different views," Pattakos said, adding that the "seriousness of these charges don't add up." Testimony begins The first witness was Detective Matthew Green of the Erie County Sheriff's Office. Green testified that he began investigating in 2025 after being contacted by the Erie County Prosecutor's Office about potential "fictitious mortgage documents." Green said that upon examining the documents, it appeared that the signatures of the victim's name were inconsistent. The detective then contacted the victim, who denied signing the documents in question. On cross-examination, Pattakos focused his questioning of Green on his investigatory methods and overall involvement. He also questioned why he did not call Ford to ask her about the questionable signatures at the same time. The victim, a man, was then called to the witness stand. Both the prosecution and defense asked him about his past with Ford and the home they lived in together. The home was under foreclosure when the man left the residence and filed for bankruptcy. He stated that he filed for bankruptcy because he did not want anything to do with the home once he was no longer living there. On direct examination from Baxter, the victim adamantly stated that he did "absolutely not" sign or plan to sign any federal documents or bank documents relating to the loan and that he did not meet the notary public who assisted with the documentation. On cross-examination, Pattakos questioned the victim on his text communications with Ford relating to the mortgage after he left the home, and additionally pointed out that Ford was in charge of handling financial matters between the pair. Testimony to continue The day's proceedings were interrupted by technical issues several times. Both the defense and prosecution had trouble connecting a computer to a large monitor used to display evidence to members of the jury. That issue necessitated a move from one of the building's courtrooms to another courtroom, where the trial played out for the rest of the day and where it was scheduled to resume on Wednesday morning.