Danvers Former Salem Court Assistant Clerk Magistrate Accused Of Stealing Bail Funds

SALEM, MA — The former assistant clerk magistrate at Salem District Court from Danvers was indicted on Tuesday on charges she stole more than $71,000 in bail money from the court system and forged documents to conceal her crimes.

The Attorney General's Office said an Essex County Grand Jury indicted Michelle Bowman, 51, of Danvers, on embezzlement and forgery charges.

The AG's Office said Bowman submitted forged dates on a recognizance form when it was discovered that $25,000 in bail funds were never received at Lawrence District Court when processing a bond forfeiture.

The AG's Office said a subsequent audit found eight bails, which Bowman had taken, were never turned over to the respective courts, totaling more than $71,000, and that a review of her financial records indicated that withdrawals from her "bail bank account," included $14,449 in payments to American Express, $14,021 in payments to her landlord and $8,508 in cash withdrawals.

During the relevant timeframe, according to the AG's Office, Bowman took trips to Las Vegas, Barbados, and Aruba, and spent money on jewelry, designer perfume, high-end clothing, and event tickets.

Bowman was arraigned on Tuesday in Essex Superior Court. She was ordered to turn over her passport and scheduled to appear in court again on Dec. 12.