A Danvers woman who worked as a clerk magistrate in Salem District Court is facing charges after prosecutors say she misused thousands of dollars in bail funds and forged a form to cover up her crime.

Michelle Bowman, 51, was indicted on charges of fiduciary embezzlement and unwarranted privilege and forgery and uttering, Attorney General Andrea Campbell’s office announced Tuesday.

In May 2024, staff at Lawrence District Court discovered $25,000 in bail funds had never been received and were missing while attempting to process a bail forfeiture. Prosecutors say Bowman submitted a forged recognizance form to the court for the missing bail, trying to create the appearance the money was received more recently than it actually had been.

A Trial Court audit discovered eight bails were missin

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