Former Gov. Paterson and his stepson “had no choice but to defend themselves” after a group of five ruffians attacked them on the Upper East Side, Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa told The Post.
Paterson, 70, who is legally blind, and his wife’s son, Anthony Chester Sliwa, were taking the family dog Bella for her nightly walk Friday when they encountered three youngsters, possibly teens, and an adult as the kids were climbing a fire escape on Second Avenue near East 96th Street shortly before 9 p.m., according to the elder Sliwa.
“They spotted these teens making their way up a fire escape. Anthony told the teens to come down. They did and were talking crap and went away. At that point [Paterson and Anthony] walked east on 96th street and when they turned the block, the teens were in a McDonalds with two adults and [all five came outside] confronted them. David and Anthony had no choice but to defend themselves,” Curtis Sliwa said.
The thugs included a girl in purple braids, according to police, who released video and photos of the suspects early Saturday.
“Anthony was able to hold them off because Gov. Paterson is sight-challenged, but the governor was also in the middle of this too and they both stood their ground,” said Curtis Sliwa, who added he is “proud” of how his son, who is also a Guardian Angel, handled the incident.
Paterson was “battered and bruised but nothing major,” while Anthony ended up with a “busted lip” and is still waiting on results of a CAT scan to see if he has a concussion, Sliwa added.
The brave duo were released from the hospital Saturday morning, Paterson’s spokesman said.
“Governor Paterson and his stepson, Anthony, were sent home early this morning,” spokesman Sean Darcy told The Post. “The Governor’s only request is that people refrain from attempting to use an unfortunate act of violence for their own personal or political gain. He and his wife, Mary, are thankful for the quick response time from the police and the outpouring of support they have received from people across all spectrums. Governor Paterson’s main concern today is Kodai Senga and the New York Mets, but we will provide any additional updates as necessary.”
Paterson, who served as New York’s governor from 2008 to 2010, is married to Mary Paterson, the ex-wife of Sliwa. Sliwa and Mary share one child, Anthony.
Anthony trains weekly at the Guardian Angels academy in Washington Heights, said his pop. He’s in the process of testing for his purple belt in martial arts.
“This is another attack that is plaguing the Upper East Side, which used to be a very safe place to live. It doesn’t not matter who you are and where you’re from and unfortunately the governor and my son became victims of this,” Curtis Sliwa said.
“There are no rules any longer – anyone, even if you’re elderly, is prone to be attacked.”
Sliwa said he’s offered to have the Guardian Angels assist law enforcement in the search for the attackers. However, he’s already predicting soft-on-crime Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg will let them walk if they are nabbed.
“I know what’s going to happen – when and if they get arrested, Bragg will cut them loose like they always does and they will be free to do it again and again,” he said.
“That is why I am running,” Sliwas said of his own mayoral bid. “I am the only law and order guy who is running. Everyone else bends over backwards” to help criminals.
Paterson, who frequently appears on WABC Radio where Curtis Sliwa hosts a program, was lauded by WABC owner John Catsimidis.
“We are deeply concerned for the well-being of former Governor David Paterson and Anthony Sliwa, both of whom were unfortunately involved in an incident while bravely stepping in to protect local residents,” Catsimidis said in a statement. “Governor Paterson has been a valued host at WABC, and Anthony Sliwa is a respected member of our WABC family. We stand by them and offer our full support during this difficult time. Our primary concern is for their health and safety, and we wish them both a speedy recovery. Their commitment to this city and its residents is admirable, and we are grateful for their dedication to making our community a better and safer place.”
Police are searching for five suspects, including at least one adult.
Surveillance video released by the NYPD early Saturday shows an adult wearing a Yankees cap standing in front of a convenience store and talking to the girl with purple braids as she drinks from a container and bops up and down. The footage also shows three young boys approaching the store together.
It wasn’t clear if the video was taken before or after the incident.
The female suspect with purple braids and was last seen wearing light-colored pants, a dark colored sweater, and purple-and-black sneakers, cops said. The adult was wearing a blue T-shirt, a black hoodie, the Yankees hat, light colored jeans, and light-colored sneakers.
The third suspect shown in photos and video appears to be a teen wearing a red T-shirt, light colored pants, light colored slippers, and a black sweater tied around his waist. The fourth suspect also appears to be a teen and was wearing a gray T-shirt with graphic on it, black pants, and light colored shoes. The fifth individual appears to be a heavyset teen wearing a T-shirt with graphic on it, a black sweatshirt, black pants, and white sneakers.
Assault is up by 5% in the Big Apple so far this year and 40% over the same time period five years ago as of Sunday, NYPD data show.
Anyone with information in regard to the attack is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org/, or on X @NYPDTips.
Additional reporting by Joe Marino
