Tierney schedules press conference to answer allegations

SALEM – U.S. Rep. John Tierney, D-Salem, has scheduled a press conference for this afternoon to answer questions about allegations made by his recently convicted brother-in-law, Daniel Eremian, that the Sixth District Congressman “knew everything” about an illegal offshore gambling operation.Asked this morning why Tierney has decided to hold the press conference now, Grant Herring, his campaign manager, said, “It’s gained a lot of attention since his brother-in-law made these false accusations.”Herring said Tierney has continued “to do his job,” in Washington despite the allegations and is ready to answer any and all questions during the press conference. Tierney’s wife, Patrice Tierney, pleaded guilty in October 2010 to four counts of aiding and abetting the filing of false tax returns related to her fugitive brother, Robert Eremian. Federal prosecutors said she managed a bank account for her brother that took in more than $7 million in illegal gambling profits.Tierney has long insisted he didn’t know anything about the illegal gambling operation, despite his wife’s guilty pleas in federal court.Visit www.itemlive.com for updates on the story and see Thursday’s Daily Item for complete coverage.