DANVERS— A former Salem District Court assistant clerk magistrate is in hot water after being indicted for allegedly embezzling over $71,000 in bail funds. Michelle Bowman, 51, from Danvers, reportedly misused these funds to finance high-end vacations and personal luxuries, including jewelry and designer clothing, according to the attorney general's office.

The alleged scandal unfolded when Lawrence District Court staff flagged a missing $25,000 in bail funds. In an attempt to cover her tracks, Bowman forged a recognizance form in May 2024 to make it appear as if the funds had been properly received. However, a subsequent audit revealed that she had mishandled multiple bail amounts, holding some for over six months beyond the required time frame.

Authorities say that during this time, Bowman indulged in lavish getaways to Las Vegas, Barbados, and Aruba. Her spending habits raised eyebrows; she made significant withdrawals from her bail account, including $14,449 in American Express payments and $14,021 to her landlord, along with cash withdrawals totaling $8,508.

Investigators seized Bowman's phone as part of their evidence collection in July 2024. She now faces four felony counts, including fiduciary embezzlement and forgery, after pleading not guilty in Essex Superior Court. With her passport turned over to authorities, Bowman is scheduled to return to court on December 12 for a compliance hearing, leaving many to wonder about the fallout from this shocking scandal.