WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — Former state Sen. Nicholas Spano has been charged with federal tax evasion and says he will plead guilty.

The Yonkers Republican was once one of New York’s most powerful politicians.

He spent 28 years in the state Legislature, rising to assistant majority leader of the Senate.

He appeared Friday in federal court in White Plains. He was formally charged with obstructing tax laws.

The complaint said he failed to report consultant fees, a real estate commission and rental payments.

The case was then referred to a different judge. That hearing was expected later Friday.

Spano said outside the courtroom that he planned to plead guilty.