during cross examination in the lord huntingtower case, ford admitted that he had been tried and found guilty of extorting money in 1832. this referred to a case where he and the keeper of a gaming house, john aldridge, allegedly attempted to obtain money from a person they said had forged a cheque. the case subsequently went to appeal and the ruling was overturned. ford also admitted under oath that he had been declared bankrupt when younger, but had quickly paid off his debts.