BRIEFLY : EX-ISLANDERS OWNER MAY GO TO PRISON.

Former New York Islanders owner John Spano, who once bragged that he was worth more than $500 million, could be imprisoned today if he can't raise $1.5 million.

Spano was arrested Wednesday on federal bank and wire fraud charges in connection with his bid to buy the National Hockey League's Islanders. Although he was released on his own recognizance, a U.S. Magistrate judge in the Eastern District of New York said Spano must raise $1.5 million collateral to secure a bail of $3 million by today at 5 p.m. EDT.

If Spano doesn't come up with the money, he'll be arrested and sent to an undisclosed prison, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's office said.

Whether Spano goes to prison will depend on an appraisal of his Dallas house, the U.S. Attorney's office said. Spano estimated the value of the residence at about $3.2 million with a mortgage of about $1.8 million, while the U.S. Attorney's office said the house's value isn't that high. Spano also bounced a check last week to county officials to pay more than $90,000 in back real estate taxes. He hasn't paid the taxes, the U.S. Attorney's office said.

If convicted, the Texas businessman faces three to five years in prison for his role in trying to buy the Islanders - and could receive a stiffer sentence if he's indicted by a grand jury. The U.S. Attorney's office said it will present its evidence to a grand jury within two weeks.

ALSO: An environmental group, a doctor and a lawmaker Sunday blamed polluted waters in the Yarkon River for causing the death of one of the three Australian athletes killed by a bridge collapse during the Maccabiah Games in Jerusalem. Elizabeth Sawicki, a member of the Australian bridge team, died of lung and kidney problems Saturday. Dr. Yossi Marzel of the Afula hospital, where Sawicki was treated, said that the 47-year-old Melbourne native absorbed a large amount of chemicals, pesticides and oil when she fell into the river after the bridge buckled July 14.

Mark Evans drove the PICO American Dream to victory in the Budweiser Columbia Cup in Kennesick, Wash., after Miss Budweiser, the top boat on the unlimited hydroplane circuit, flipped in the final heat. Budweiser driver Dave Villwock was treated at Kennewick General Hospital for an apparent broken right arm, a possible concussion, a cut across the top of his right wrist and other injuries. The 42-year-old driver was then flown to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.