MICHAEL GORMLEY, Associated Press Writer

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Amid concerns over a conflict of interest and just two days after a poll showed the public opposed his investigation into two scandals involving Gov. David Paterson, Attorney General Andrew Cuomo took himself off the case Thursday and appointed a respected former judge to take over.

Cuomo, a Democrat considering a run for governor, named Judith Kaye as the independent counsel to lead the investigation into whether Paterson illegally took World Series tickets or had improper contact with a woman who accused a governor's aide of domestic violence. She will work with the Cuomo's Public Integrity Unit on the investigation.

Cuomo's father — Gov. Mario Cuomo — appointed Kaye to the state's top court in 1983 and made her chief judge in 1993, the first woman in that position. On the bench, Kaye wrote groundbreaking decisions on adoption rights for gay couples and the death penalty.