Nassau County Leg. Roger Corbin made his first legislative appearance Monday since he was arrested last week and charged with income tax evasion.

Corbin refused questions from the press, but made a short public statement after Presiding Officer Diane Yatauro (D) began the meeting, saying "I've always said to my constituents and to this body I would never do anything to embarrass you."

Corbin is accused of income tax evasion after allegedly accepting $226,000 from the developer of a New Cassel housing project, cashing the checks and failing to pay taxes on the money. According to the FBI and the IRS, Corbin never declared the money and lied to federal agents about having the cash.

Though Yatauro claimed she would not replace Corbin as chairman of the Finance Committee, she said Monday that the legislator had decided to step down amid criticism.

Fellow legislators avoided the topic of removing Corbin from the legislature, though some believe he could be a distraction. Leg. Judi Bosworth (D-Great Neck) says Corbin is "presumed innocent until proven guilty."

If convicted on all charges, Corbin faces up to 11 years in prison, plus $1 million in fines.