Conflict seen in Cuomo investigation of Paterson

NEW YORK CITY -- A Brooklyn city councilman says New York State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo should recuse himself from investigating Gov. David Paterson because Cuomo plans to run for governor himself and it's a conflict of interest.

Councilman Charles Barron said Sunday that the state Legislature should appoint a neutral investigator to look into whether the governor, his staff and his state police security detail illegally contacted a woman who had accused one of Paterson's aides in a domestic violence incident.

Cuomo has not declared his candidacy for governor but is widely considered the favorite in the race.

Barron said Cuomo is "the most active undeclared candidate I've ever seen."

Paterson's office declined to comment. Cuomo's office did not respond to a request for comment.

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