Boston Globe Asks: What Did Tierney Know and When Did He Know It?

The crime committed by Patrice Tierney, the wife of Sixth District congressman John Tierney, is serious. And the congressman, who announced in a statement yesterday that he is standing by his wife “in this difficult time,’’ needs to offer a full, public account of what he knew about her activities, and why he did or did not question the legality of her actions.

Patrice Tierney pled guilty yesterday to four counts of aiding and abetting the filing of false tax returns by her brother, Robert Eremian, who allegedly ran an illegal gambling and racketeering enterprise on the island of Antigua. Her other brother, Daniel Eremian, is also under indictment for racketeering, illegal gambling, and money laundering. Robert remains a fugitive. Patrice Tierney, according to her husband, agreed to pay Robert’s bills, including upkeep for their mother and Robert’s three children, out of a bank account into which Robert funneled at least $7 million.

…

In handling issues like this, politicians usually follow a predictable script: There’s an expression of loyalty to one’s spouse, often followed at some point by an appeal to inquisitors to “lay off my family.’’ Inevitably, political allies pop up, chorus-like, to offer their support in such difficult times — as though someone got sick or died, rather than committed a serious felony.

Let’s hope the Tierneys and their supporters skip this drama and get quickly to the point: What did John Tierney know, and when did he know it?

Read more: (Editorial, “Tierney Should Publicly Answer Questions on His Wife’s Crimes,” The Boston Globe, 10/07/2010)