Stepson of former New York governor attacked during evening stroll in Manhattan

Former New York Gov. David Paterson and his stepson suffered minor injuries when they were attacked on a Manhattan street by four men and a woman as they took an evening stroll, police said Saturday.

The 70-year-old former governor, a Democrat, and his 20-year-old stepson Anthony Sliwa were walking on an Upper East Side street around 8:30 p.m. Friday when they were attacked, the New York Police Department and a said Paterson Speaker.

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Both were treated for minor facial injuries at a nearby hospital and released early Saturday, authorities said.

Paterson, who is legally blind, also suffered minor injuries to his body.

In a statement, police described the attack as a “gang attack” and asked for the public’s help in learning more about the attack.

Paterson served as governor from 2008 to 2010, taking over after Gov. Eliot Spitzer resigned amid a prostitution scandal. He was the state’s first black governor.

At a news conference Saturday near the crime scene, Paterson said his stepson was walking the family dog ​​when he first encountered some of the attackers and told them he would call the police if they didn’t stop , climbing the fire escape of a building on Second Avenue.

Later, Paterson said, he and Sliwa, the son of Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa, went for a walk and encountered the group again near East 97th Street around 8:30 p.m. and argued with the people before two of them Paterson and his stepson attacked. The Guardian Angels are an anti-crime group.

Paterson said his son fought off several attackers, but he ended up with a cut on his face that required multiple stitches.

Sean Darcy, a spokesman for Paterson, said in a statement that Paterson and Sliwa were able to fight off their attackers.

Paterson and his wife, Mary, “are grateful for the quick response time from police and the tremendous support they have received from people of all stripes,” Darcy said.

He added that Paterson’s main concern Saturday was New York Mets pitcher Kodai Senga as he leads the Mets in their opening playoff game against the Philadelphia Phillies.