Embattled Saugus Library employee resigns amid scandal

SAUGUS – Former Saugus Library administrative assistant Linda Duffy was issued a trespass order from the library on Wednesday afternoon, just two days after she resigned from her position amid an investigation into what Town Manager Andrew Bisignani described as “financial irregularities.”Duffy, who was first hired in 1999, was placed on paid administrative leave last week after Library Director Diane Wallace and Town Accountant Joan Regan discovered missing funds in the library?s financial books.Bisignani said a termination hearing was scheduled this week, but Duffy submitted a letter of resignation first.?We did find that a recommendation was made by the accountant to terminate her,” said Bisignani. “There are funds that are not accounted for.”Duffy politely declined to comment when asked about the investigation during a visit to her home at 280 Central St.Lt. Det. Ronald Giorgetti also declined to comment, saying it is an “ongoing investigation.”Bisignani said Saugus Police along with forensic accountants from Melanson Heath and Co. are looking back at least six years or more into the library?s financial records.?Once a determination is made, if we find just cause, it will be turned over the District Attorney?s office,” said Bisignani.In 1993, Duffy was sentenced to 21 months in prison and ordered to pay $120,000 in restitution after being convicted on 13 counts of mail fraud, conspiracy and perjury. Duffy, a supervisor with an insurance company at the time, used her position to enter fake claims in 1987 and 1988 that resulted in $120,000 in checks being paid to her former boyfriend Francis W. Sanchez.While Duffy served part-time as an administrative assistant, she also was involved with fundraising for the Friends of the Saugus Public Library. In a 2003 press release from the Saugus Business Partnership, Duffy is listed as a contact for purchasing tickets for a wine tasting and silent auction benefit for the library.Wallace, who recently took over as director in June, said it?s not uncommon for library employees to help with fundraising in their spare time.?I?ve been a trustee, I?ve been a friend, a librarian and it?s usually a pretty nice group of people,” said Wallace. “Most of the library staff don?t have time to do that on work time, so they take it on as extra. I used to say where I used to work that, ?It was my job and my volunteer work,? because it doesn?t leave you a lot of time for other volunteer work. Most of us really care about libraries. It?s not just a job.”