Massachusetts congressman's wife released from prison

CNHI News Service

SALEM, Mass. — The wife of a Massachusetts congressman was released from a federal prison camp Tuesday, completing a 30-day sentence for tax fraud.

Patrice Tierney, 60, served her time at the Danbury Federal Correctional Institution for Women in Connecticut. She must now undergo five months of home confinement and two years of probation.

Her husband is U.S. Rep. John Tierney, D-Mass., who is serving his eighth term.

Patrice Tierney pleaded guilty last October to aiding and abetting her brother, Robert Eremian, in filing false income tax returns from an illegal Internet gambling operation.

When the case first came to light, prosecutors agreed to a plea bargain that had Mrs. Tierney serving no prison time.

But U.S. District Judge William Young disregarded the agreement on the ground the public might perceive she was treated too leniently because she is the wife of a congressman. He ordered her to serve at least 30 days in prison.
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Details for this story were provided by The Salem, Mass., News.