Facing negative public opinion, Attorney General Andrew Cuomo will recuse himself from investigations involving Governor David Paterson, and will instead appoint an independent counsel. This move follows the release of public polling numbers earlier this week that showed Cuomo's favorability rating dropping because of his role in the Paterson investigations.

Mr. Cuomo said he will appoint Judith S. Kaye, the former Chief Judge of New York, to lead the inquiry, along with an investigation into whether the governor lied when he was questioned by the state ethics commission into his solicitation of free Yankees World Series tickets.

The surprising development comes after Mr. Cuomo's staff has already spent two weeks investigating the domestic violence case. Those staffers will now report to Ms. Kaye instead of Mr. Cuomo, who will recuse himself from both investigations.

"An investigation of a sitting governor of New York is a complex weighty matter indeed," Mr. Cuomo said on a conference call, adding, "We have determined there are credible issues that need to be resolved. An immediate resolution of these matters does not now appear to be at hand."