Politics & Government

Ethics Committee Drops Probe Into Congressman Tierney

The Ethics Committee of the U.S. House won't keep digging into North Shore Congressman John Tierney's tie, via his wife, to an illegal offshore gambling business saying evidence of any wrongdoing is "inconclusive."

This post was written by North Shore Associate Editor Chris Helms.

The U.S. House Ethics Committee has dropped its probe into Congressman John Tierney, D-Salem, according to the Boston Globe.

Tierney has been under fire since 2010 when his wife pleaded guilty to helping her fugitive brother manage a bank account into which funds from an illegal offshore gambling business were being funneled.

Tierney represents the Sixth Congressional District, which includes Hamilton and Wenham.

The Boston Globe reports that the Ethics Committee chairman said the evidence available now is "inconclusive" as to whether the money should be considered a gift — i.e. not taxable — or income, in which case taxes would be owed.

The scandal led to a tough election season that year against Republican Bill Hudak and an even tougher election against former Senate Minority Leader Richard Tisei in 2012, when the scandal remained in the spotlight. That year,
a group of Democrats calling themselves Democrats for Tisei campaigned for Tisei.

In 2014, Tierney will face a Democratic primary challenge from former Marine Seth Moulton and a rematch with Marisa DeFranco.

For all the details on the Ethics Committee's decision to drop its probe into Tierney, please visit the Boston Globe.


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