ALBANY, N.Y. (AP)  -- Gov. David Paterson nominated Harry Corbitt Monday to be the superintendent of state police, replacing Preston Felton who played a role in a political scandal involving former Gov. Eliot Spitzer.

Corbitt, who retired as a colonel from the state police in 2004, is a former deputy superintendent of internal affairs for the agency. In a 26-year career, he served in the Canandaigua area in western New York until 1984, then was in charge of the Basic School at the State Police Academy in Albany. He later served as commander of Troop T in charge of the Thruway and deputy superintendent for employee relations.

Felton became entangled in the first scandal to wrack the Spitzer administration when two executive aides were accused of misusing state police records to embarrass Senate Republican leader Joseph Bruno. Felton was criticized for having the state police recreate records to provide information about Bruno's use of state aircraft on trips that involved GOP fundraisers.

Shortly after Paterson became governor following's Spitzer's March 12 resignation amid a prostitution scandal, the 49-year-old Felton offered his resignation. Paterson said the departure was not related to the travel records scandal.

That 2007 case is under investigation by the state Public Integrity Commission.

Felton was the first black to head the force, if only in an acting capacity, withdrawing his own retirement papers while a national search was done to replace Wayne Bennett, who retired.

When the Spitzer administration appeared ready to consider nominating Felton, the scandal involving Bruno's use of state aircraft complicated possible confirmation by the Senate, which is led by Bruno.

If Corbitt is confirmed by the Senate, he will be the state's first black state police superintendent. His annual salary would be $136,000.

Daniel De Federicis, president of the New York state Troopers Police Benevolent Association, said the organization is ``cautiously optimistic'' about Corbitt's nomination. He said PBA members hope Corbitt makes trooper safety a top priority.

Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, concluded in July that Felton created the travel records for public disclosure at the request of the governor's office, deviating from standard procedures and disregarding security considerations.

Felton has said he had no idea he was part of a political scheme.

``He will be remembered for his tremendous willingness to try to provide on the job safety for troopers,'' Paterson said.

Felton ordered patrol officers to wear the bullet-resistant vests that previously were optional and upgraded equipment including stronger vests for all troopers, heavier armor for the agency's tactical unit and .45-caliber handguns instead of 9mm sidearms.

Corbitt, who retired before Spitzer even took office, said he didn't have any intimate knowledge about Felton's involvement in the scandal.

``I only know what I read in the papers,'' Corbitt said. ``I do know that whenever politics and police mix, it's a bad mixture.''