The Crawford County magistrate charged with fiduciary theft has signed a consent order with the Georgia Judicial Qualifications Commission that suspends her from office temporarily.

Chief Magistrate Andrea Peterman signed the order Friday that suspends her from office pending final disposition of her case by the commission. She was released from jail on $5,000 bond Wednesday.

The commission is the state body that investigates, disciplines and sometimes removes judges from office.

Peterman was charged with fiduciary theft and violation of oath of office by a public officer March 4.

It could be another week or two before an audit of Magistrate Court funds is complete, County Manager Pat Kelly said.

The missing money was allegedly taken from official funds collected by Magistrate Court, the GBI has said.

Kelly said Crawford County has an annual audit of county funds, but that review only covers records through Sept. 30, 2012.

The GBI has requested that accountants also review the court’s monetary records through the end of February.

Peterman, 43, took office in October. She formerly worked as clerk of Crawford County Probate Court.

Deputy Magistrate Robin Dunaway, a former Bibb County prosecutor, is overseeing Magistrate Court operations for now.

To contact writer Amy Leigh Womack, call 744-4398.