A former assistant clerk magistrate in Salem District Court allegedly stole $71,000 in bail money and spent thousands on perfume, international vacations , and $14,000 in rent, authorities said Tuesday.

Michelle S. Bowman, 51, was arraigned Tuesday in Essex Superior Court , where she pleaded not guilty to charges of fiduciary embezzlement and unwarranted privilege for the misuse of bail funds, along with forgery and uttering for creating and submitting a false recognizance form, according to Attorney General Andrea Campbell’s office.

Bowman was released on personal recognizance and ordered to surrender her passport. Authorities allege in court papers that used the bail money to pay for trips to Aruba , Barbados and Las Vegas.

After reviewing Bowman’s financial records, investigato

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