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 the activities of his brothers-in-law 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.