Overview
- An Essex grand jury indicted Michelle S. Bowman, 51, on fiduciary embezzlement, unwarranted privilege, and forgery and uttering tied to bail funds.
- Prosecutors allege she filed a forged recognizance form after a May 2024 $25,000 forfeiture in Lawrence revealed missing money from the Juan Giron case.
- A Trial Court audit found eight unremitted bails totaling about $71,000 and prolonged holds on large sums beyond required deposit deadlines.
- Financial records detail roughly $14,449 in American Express payments, $14,021 in rent, $8,508 in cash withdrawals, and travel to Aruba, Barbados, and Las Vegas.
- Bowman pleaded not guilty, was released on personal recognizance with a passport surrender order, the state reports the courts have been reimbursed, and her next hearing is Dec. 12.