FBRIEFLY: SPANO DESCRIBED AS FINANCIAL CHARLATAN.

A federal prosecutor depicted John Spano Wednesday as a financial charlatan who lied, forged and deceived his way into buying the Islanders from John Pickett for $165 million in April.

Joseph Conway, an assistant U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York, described Spano's dealings in his abortive purchase of the team as a ``tangled web of lies and promises.''

Back from the Cayman Islands to answer an arrest warrant, Spano, 33, was arraigned Wednesday on charges of bank and wire fraud. The United States attorney's office wants Spano to serve a minimum of three to five years in prison if he is convicted.

Spano had no comment and entered no plea.

United States Magistrate Judge Viktor V. Pohorelsky imposed a $3 million bond, to be secured by Monday with $1.5 million in property, including Spano's Dallas house, his sister's and his parents' houses in Ohio and other assets if required. Conway estimated the houses would contribute $750,000 to the total.

Spano could be jailed if he cannot guarantee the $1.5 million security.

In a debate over whether Spano posed a threat to jump bail, it was made clear in court documents that the Dallas businessman appears to have few valuable assets left. The Islanders are back with Pickett, who hopes to resell the team.

When Spano pledged all the shares of his principal business, the Bison Group, to raise his bail, Pohorelsky excluded them from the $1.5 million.

TENNIS: In an already remarkable year, Martina Hingis can set one more precedent by winning the U.S. Open. She would be the youngest player this century to capture three Grand Slam events in the same year.

The 16-year-old Swiss star became the youngest champion at a Grand Slam event this century by winning the Australian Open. At Wimbledon, she became the tournament's youngest female singles champion this century.

Hingis, the top-ranked woman in the world, turns 17 Sept. 30 and is not in position to be the youngest U.S. Open winner. Tracy Austin won in 1979 at 16 years, 8 months, 28 days.

HOCKEY: Mark Messier's hockey future looked confusing at best Wednesday with speculation raging over the NHL free agent's destination.

While the 36-year-old New York Rangers captain was unavailable for comment, his uncle said there was no shortage of offers.

Len Messier said he talked Wednesday with Doug Messier, the player's father and agent who was at his home in Hilton Head, S.C. He confirmed a hefty offer from the Canucks reported at three years and $18 million.

?13Daily News Wire Services