Convicted Saugus library worker remains free on recognizance

SAUGUS – It?s been more than a week since Linda Duffy was supposed to report to prison, but according to her attorney, Duffy is still free pending an assignment from the Bureau of Prisons.?It?s an indeterminate date because the Bureau of Prisons does not have an assignment to place her as of yet,” said attorney Fred Riley.The former Saugus Library worker was sentenced to five years in prison in January for stealing more than $800,000 from the library and the GE Matching Gift Fund. And while she was supposed to report to prison on Feb. 22, Duffy had that date moved to March 11 because Riley said she was suffering from bacterial infections called Clostridium difficile, or C. dif.But with March 11 come and gone, Duffy is still a free woman.Riley said he has to hear back from the United States Marshal?s Service for a new reporting date and noted he does not have a time frame.?The Marshals service didn?t know where she would be assigned so they could not give us any information,” said Riley. “She was released on her own recognizance after the guilty verdict and when she gets a reporting date it?s up to her to get to that reporting date, which she obviously absolutely will comply.”Library Director Diane Wallace said she is “disappointed” with the delay.?I?m disappointed that to date she has suffered no consequences for her actions,” said Wallace. “Library donors feel that she might be manipulating the system to remain at home, since there seems to be no reason given for the delay.”Christina DiIorio-Sterling, a spokesperson for the Department of Justice, said once the Bureau of Prisons finds an assignment, Duffy will have 72 hours to report after being notified.Matt Tempesta can be reached at [email protected].