Former Gov. Paterson and his stepson “had no choice but to defend themselves” after a group of five thugs 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 on Friday when they came across three young people, possibly teenagers, and an adult as the children climbed a fire escape. Second Avenue near East 96th Street, shortly before 9 p.m., according to the elder Sliwa.
“They saw these teenagers walking up a fire escape. Anthony told the teens to come down. They did that, talked nonsense and left. At that point [Paterson and Anthony] walked east on 96th Street and when they turned the block, the teens were sitting in a McDonalds with two adults and [all five came outside] confronted them. David and Anthony had no choice but to defend themselves,” said Curtis Sliwa.
Among the criminals was a girl with purple braids, according to police, who released video and photos of the suspects early Saturday.
“Anthony was able to hold them off because Governor Paterson has poor eyesight, but the governor was in the middle of it too and they both held on,” said Curtis Sliwa, who added that he is “proud” of how his son, who is also a guardian angel dealt with the incident.
Paterson was “battered and bruised, but nothing serious,” while Anthony ended up with a “busted lip” and is still awaiting the results of a CAT scan to see if he has a concussion, Sliwa added.
The brave duo were released from hospital on Saturday morning, the Paterson 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 using an unfortunate act of violence for their own personal or political gain. He and his wife Mary are grateful for the quick response time from police and the outpouring of support they have received from people across the spectrum. Governor Paterson’s top concern today is regarding Kodai Senga and the New York Mets, but we will provide additional updates as necessary.”
Paterson, who served as governor of New York from 2008 to 2010, married Mary PatersonSliwa’s ex-wife. Sliwa and Mary share one child, Anthony.
Anthony trains weekly at the Guardian Angels Academy in Washington Heights, his father said. He is testing for his purple belt in martial arts.
“This is yet another attack ravaging the Upper East Side, which used to be a very safe place to live. It doesn’t matter who you are or where you come from and unfortunately the governor and my son have been victims of this,” said Curtis Sliwa.
“There are no rules anymore – everyone, even if you are older, is susceptible to attacks.”
Sliwa said he has been offered to have the Guardian Angels assist law enforcement in the search for the attackers. However, he is already predicting that soft-on-crime Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg will let them walk if they are caught.
“I know what will happen – when and if they are arrested, Bragg will let them go like they always do and they will have the freedom to do it again and again,” he said.
“That’s why I’m running,” Sliwas said of his own mayoral candidate. “I am the only public policy man running for office. Everyone else does everything they can to help criminals.
Paterson, who regularly appears on WABC Radio where Curtis Sliwa hosts a program, was praised 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 courageously intervening 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 behind them and offer our full support during this difficult time. Our primary concern is 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 looking 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 bobs up and down. The images also show three young boys approaching the store together.
It is not clear whether the video was taken before or after the incident.
The female suspect with purple braids was last seen wearing light-colored pants, a dark-colored sweater and purple and black sneakers, police said. The adult was wearing a blue T-shirt, black hoodie, Yankees hat, light-colored jeans and light-colored sneakers.
The third suspect seen in the photos and video appears to be a teenager wearing a red T-shirt, light-colored pants, light-colored slippers and a black sweater around his waist. The fourth suspect also appears to be a teenager and was wearing a gray T-shirt with an image on it, black pants and light-colored shoes. The fifth person appears to be a heavyset teenager wearing a graphic T-shirt, a black sweatshirt, black pants and white sneakers.
Assaults in the Big Apple are up 5% so far this year and up 40% from the same period five years ago as of Sunday, NYPD data shows.
Anyone with information about the attack is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or in 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 at X @NYPDTips.
Additional reporting by Joe Marino
