Mr. Barrasse declined to specify the potential conflict.

The case involving Mr. Eagen stems from the 2-year-old investigation of the looting of estates of county residents a court deemed mentally or physically incapable of handling their own financial affairs.

As Orphans Court judge, Mr. Eagen appointed legal guardians and oversaw estates cases.

A county grand jury is believed to have recommended criminal charges against Mr. Eagen in December, but the former judge has yet to be charged.

Mr. Eagen, who has steadfastly denied any wrongdoing, could not be reached for comment on the latest twist in the estates investigation.

So far, three prominent local men have been sent to prison for their roles in the scandal.

The controversy led to Mr. Eagens ouster from the bench by county voters, who in November 1996 did not endorse him for another 10-year term.

Mr. Eagen has accused the district attorney of conducting a political vendetta against him.

On Monday, Mr. Barrasse said he now will seek an order from Senior Judge Carlon OMalley, who supervises the county grand jury, authorizing disclosure of grand-jury proceedings involving Mr. Eagen to the attorney generals office.

Mr. Barrasse said the attorney generals office probably will want to look at the grand-jury findings before charging Mr. Eagen. But, he noted that the attorney generals office has assisted his office in the investigation and that one of its agents, Kevin Colgan, has been involved with the case from the beginning.

Kevin Harley, a spokesman for the attorney generals office, could not be reached for comment.

William Costopoulos, Mr. Eagens counsel, said he hopes the attorney generals office gives the case a fair, impartial and apolitical review.

Although Mr. Barrasse declined to discuss the potential conflict, it is believed to center on contacts the former judge made with members of the district attorneys staff in an apparent attempt to identify witnesses summoned before the county grand jury and the nature of their testimony.

Mr. Barrasse said he almost certainly would be called to testify if Mr. Eagen is charged, as would assistant district attorneys Kathleen Granahan and Andrew Jarbola and former assistant district attorney Michael Brier.

Miss Granahan headed the grand-jury probe of the former judge.