Racketeer brother-in-law says Tierney 'knew everything'

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June 28, 2012

Racketeer brother-in-law says Tierney 'knew everything'

By Julie Manganis Staff Writer The Eagle Tribune Thu Jun 28, 2012, 03:42 PM EDT

SALEM — Moments after learning he'll spend the next three years of his life in federal prison, Daniel Eremian blasted his brother-in-law, Congressman John Tierney, outside the courtroom, claiming that the congressman is a "liar" and "knew everything."

Eremian, 62, the former owner of Brodie's Pub in Peabody, lashed out at the congressman following his sentencing this morning in U.S. District Court in Boston.

Eremian also said he believes his sister, Patrice Tierney, the wife of the Salem Democrat, was forced to enter a plea agreement with prosecutors to save her husband's political career.

Patrice Tierney pleaded guilty in 2010 to helping her other brother, Robert Eremian, file false tax returns. She spent a month at a federal prison camp in Connecticut and is on probation.

Robert Eremian remains a fugitive from justice in Antigua, where he moved his gaming operation, Sports Off Shore, following a raid by law enforcement in the mid-1990s.

Rep. Tierney, 60, is seeking his ninth term representing the 6th District, a seat he's held since 1998.

Daniel Eremian, who has been living in Boca Raton, Fla. was convicted last year of racketeering and gaming charges by a federal jury.

Todd Lyons, a Beverly man who joined the enterprise after taking over the onetime role of Patrice Tierney's son John Chew, was sentenced to four years in federal prison. Judge Patti Saris characterized Lyons as an even bigger player in the organization than Eremian, but said both men were "key" figures in the operation. Prosecutors described Lyons as "the banker" for Sports Off Shore's Massachusetts operations.

Eremian, meanwhile, handled the money in Florida.

In addition to their prison terms, both men will serve a year of probation following their release. Saris has already ordered the forfeiture of $7.7 million from Eremian and $24 million from Lyons; yesterday, she also ordered Eremian to forfeit a helicopter.

Both men were ordered to report to the courthouse tomorrow morning to begin serving their terms. Saris had intended to put both men in custody this morning but was persuaded by a U.S. Marshall in the courtroom to allow them to report in the morning. Lawyers for the men had sought longer stays of their sentences.

Tierney could not be reached for comment.

For complete details, see tomorrow's edition of The Salem News.