Former New York Governor David Paterson and his stepson were injured in a street attack in New York

Darcy said the couple were taken to hospital as a precaution but were later released, adding Paterson’s injuries were caused by “some people” who had previous contact with his stepson.

“The governor’s only request is that people desist from attempting to exploit an unfortunate act of violence for their own personal or political gain,” he said. “He and his wife Mary are grateful for the police’s quick response time and the tremendous support they have received from people of all backgrounds.”

The New York Police Department released information about an attack on the Upper East Side of Manhattan without naming Paterson and Sliwa as victims.

They said the two victims, described as a 70-year-old man and a 20-year-old man, “were involved in a verbal altercation with five unidentified individuals. Following the verbal altercation, the individuals punched both victims in the face and over the body, the individuals then fled on foot south on 2 Avenue.

According to the NYPD, the 70-year-old suffered injuries to his face and head and was taken by ambulance to Weill Cornell Medical Center in stable condition, while the 20-year-old suffered injuries to his face and was transported to the same hospital.

Paterson is legally blind.

The Democrat became governor of New York in March 2008 following the resignation of Eliot Spitzer. He was in office until December 2010.

Sliwa is the biological son of former Republican mayoral candidate and Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa.