Boston Globe
Glen Johnson
July  3, 2012

SALEM – US Representative John F. Tierney, facing nagging questions about his knowledge of the Eremian family’s illegal gambling ring, today said he was aware of his brothers-in-laws’ activities but thought they worked at a legitimate online gambling business.

Those brothers-in-law, Robert and Daniel Eremian, both of whom accused the Salem Democrat last week of being aware of their gambling enterprise, “are angry because their brother-in-law the congressman didn’t make this go away for them,” Tierney told reporters during a news conference.

The congressman added: “The fact is that Robert and Daniel Eremian are continuing their pattern of putting their family through turmoil.”

Asked whether he felt he owed voters an apology, the eight-term representative said he regretted the situation, but added, “It has not distracted me from my work.”

Tierney is being challenged for reelection by Republican Richard Tisei of Wakefield, a former state Senate minority leader and the GOP’s 2010 nominee for lieutenant governor.