"Michelle Bowman, 51, of Danvers was charged for misusing more than $71,000 in bail money and forging a recognizance form to cover up her misuse while working as a bail magistrate and an assistant clerk magistrate in Salem, according to the attorney general's office. In May 2024, Bowman forged a recognizance form to make it seem that bail funds were received earlier than they had been after Lawrence District Court staff noticed that $25,000 in bail funds appeared to be missing, prosecutors said."
"Upon further review, investigators discovered that Bowman made several withdrawals from her bail bank account for what they believed to be personal use, including $14,449 in American Express payments, $14,021 in payments to her landlord, and $8,508 in cash withdrawals, the attorney general's office said. During the time that bail funds went missing, Bowman traveled to Las Vegas, Barbados, and Aruba and spent money on jewelry, designer perfume, high-end clothing, and tickets to events, prosecutors said."
Michelle Bowman, 51, of Danvers, is charged with misusing more than $71,000 in bail money and forging a recognizance form to conceal the misuse. An audit by the Trial Court found eight additional bails not turned over and instances of holding bail funds longer than permitted, including a $75,000 bail kept for over six months. Bank records show withdrawals for apparent personal use, including American Express payments ($14,449), landlord payments ($14,021), and $8,508 in cash. Bowman traveled internationally and made luxury purchases while funds were missing. She pleaded not guilty to four felony counts, surrendered her passport, and faces further hearings.
Read at Boston.com
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