Former Gov. David Paterson and his step-son were attacked on the Upper East Side by five teens the stepson had an earlier beef with, police said Saturday.
Cops have released images of the five suspects in the hopes someone recognizes them.
Paterson, 70, and his 20-year-old stepson Anthony Sliwa — the son of Guardian Angels’ founder and failed mayoral candidate Curits Sliwa — were walking a dog along Second Ave. near E. 97th St. about 8:30 p.m. Friday when the small group confronted them, police said.
The same group had argued with Paterson’s stepson when he found them trying to climb a nearby fire escape earlier in the night. An argument ensued and the teens lunged at both men, sparking a fight.
“They both suffered some injuries but were able to fight off their attackers,” Paterson spokesman Sean Darcy said in a statement. The two men were around the block from their home when the attack took place, Darcy said.
The group punched Paterson and his stepson about the head and body during the furious attack.
Paterson, who is legally blind, suffered bruises and some pain to his head, police said. Anthony Sliwa received a cut lip in the brief brawl. Both were taken to New York Presbyterian-Weill Cornell Medical Center for treatment and observation, Darcy said.
“They have already filed a police report and no further information is available at this time,” Darcy said.
The attackers ran off. No arrests have been made.
Paterson was lieutenant governor under Gov. Eliot Spitzer and took over as governor in March 2008 after Spitzer resigned mid-term following a prostitution scandal.
Paterson was New York State’s first Black governor. He served the remainder of the term, until the end of 2010, but did not seek re-election. Facing low-polling numbers at the time, the Obama administration reached out to Paterson and asked he not run for office.
In 2019, he married Mary Sliwa, the ex-wife of Curtis Sliwa and co-founder of the Guardian Angels. Former Mayor David Dinkins officiated the ceremony.
Cops early Saturday recovered surveillance images of the five teens involved in the fight and released their pictures to the media, hoping that someone recognizes them.
The young woman is described as Black with purple braids. At the time of the attack she was wearing light-colored pants, a dark-colored sweater and purple and black sneakers.
One of the young men was wearing a New York Yankees hat, a black hoodie and blue T-shirt. A third suspect was wearing a red T-shirt and a black sweater tied around his waist, white sweatpants and turquoise-colored Crocs.
Cops are asking anyone with information regarding their whereabouts to call NYPD Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential.