ANN ARBOR, MI -- The Ypsilanti Community High School principal faces federal bribery charges for taking $12,500 in kickbacks while she worked at Detroit Public Schools.

Tanya Bowman, 48, of Novi, was charged with conspiracy to commit federal program bribery along with 12 other current or former Detroit Public School officials, U.S. Attorney Barbara L. McQuade announced Tuesday, March 29.

Bowman faces up to five years in prison and fines of up to $250,000 if convicted.

She was the principal at Osborne Academy of Mathematics, Science & Technology in Detroit from 2010 to 2014. In July 2015, she took the helm of Ypsilanti Community High School.

Ben Edmondson, Ypsilanti Community Schools superintendent, said Wednesday, March 30 he placed Bowman on administrative leave immediately after learning about the charges.

The federal investigation alleges Bowman knowingly conspired and agreed to accept prepaid gift cards and kickback payments from Norman Shy, owner of Franklin-based Allstate Sales, a school supplies vendor to Detroit Public Schools.

Shy paid bribes and kickbacks in exchange for school officials to submit fraudulent invoices for items such as auditorium chairs, teaching materials and raised line paper to the school district, the U.S. Attorney's office alleges. The scheme started in 2002 and continued until January 2015.

The U.S. Attorney's Office states Shy paid a total of $908,518 to the 13 school officials and received $2.7 million in payments from Detroit Public Schools for fraudulent invoices.

Bowman received $12,500 in kickbacks, according to McQuade. Her involvement in the scheme started sometime prior to May 2011, the federal complaint states.

She provided Shy with a letterhead requesting gift cards on five different dates in 2011 and 2013, according to the federal complaint.

Bowman received eight kickbacks from $500 to $1,000 from Shy between May 2011 and April 2014.

"It is a heavy blow to public confidence when so many school principals are charged with bribery," McQuade said in a statement. "Public officials should take note that while it may seem easy to take bribes when they are offered, officials who betray their public trust will eventually get caught and will face the consequences."

In a statement, Edmondson said Ypsilanti Community Schools is doing all it can to maintain a normal environment and ensure leadership at the high school.

"The education of our students is a top priority and we are working diligently to keep our focus on teaching and learning," he said. "As information becomes available, and is appropriate to communicate, we will keep you updated. Thank you for your support of Ypsilanti Community Schools and your cooperation as we move through these difficult circumstances."

See the full federal complaint against Bowman:

Lindsay Knake is a cops and courts reporter for The Ann Arbor News. Follow her on twitter or contact her at 989-372-2498 or lknake@mlive.com.