Rep. John Tierney’s brother-in-law found guilty

Daniel Eremian, the brother-in-law of U.S. Rep. John F. Tierney, was found guilty today of racketeering and illegal gaming in connection with a family run multimillion-dollar Internet betting empire, but was cleared of money laundering charges by the same federal jury.

Eremian, 61, a self-described professional gambler who rose from Peabody pub owner to Boca Raton country clubber through the profits from Antigua-based Sports Off Shore, will be sentenced March 8 together with his debt collector Todd Lyons.

Lyons, 38, of Beverly, was convicted today of racketeering, illegal gaming, money laundering, filing false tax returns and interstate travel in aid of racketeering.

Fearing the men could flee justice, a detention hearing is set for Thursday morning before U.S. District Court Judge Patti B. Saris to determine if they should be jailed until then. For now, they are prohibited from leaving the state.

Referring to Eremian’s brother, Robert, and accused Sports Off Shore manager Richard Sullivan, assistant U.S. Attorney Fred Wyshak Jr. said, “Two of the defendants in this case are currently fugitives in Antigua with large sums of money.”

Wyshak later told reporters, “I think we’re satisfied with the jury’s verdict. It’s consistent with the evidence in the case.”

Prosecutors said Sports Off Shore laundered the losses it took in from down-and-out customers by having them cut checks to shell companies. But one juror told the Herald, “We didn’t think the government proved that they were trying to hide any money. It seemed like they were pretty open about it.”

The juror said the panel was not put off by the endless parade of government witnesses granted immunity from prosecution for their testimony, despite how many times they’d broken the law, because, “More than anything, they were just so many stories that were corroborated, that’s what gave them credibility.”

The stoic Eremian, brother of Congressman Tierney’s wife Patrice Tierney, 60, shrugged dismissively as his attorney Marc Nurik gave him a comforting slap on the back. Lyons, a martial arts expert, declined comment.

Asked if there will be an appeal, Nurik told reporters, “We’re examining the verdicts. We’ll determine what if any motions we will file.”

The now-defunct Sports Off Shore at one point also employed Patrice Tierney’s son, John Chew. She is currently on two years’ supervised probation and served a month in prison earlier this year for pleading guilty to helping Robert Eremian file false tax returns.