Ex-Gov. David Paterson speaks out about UES attack by brat-pack mob: ‘Unfortunate encounter’
Former Gov. David Paterson said Sunday that he hopes the pint-sized punks who attacked him and his stepson on the Upper East Side have learned a lesson after getting charged.
Paterson, 70, who is legally blind, also hailed the parents of three of the youngsters for making them surrender after the Friday night attack in Manhattan that injured him and 20-year-old stepson Anthony Sliwa, the son of Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa.
“Governor Paterson and his family are glad to see the suspects turned themselves in,” a rep for the ex-gov said in a statement.. “We hope that the young people involved learn something from this unfortunate encounter.
“The Governor is grateful to see the kids’ parents hold them to account and would also like to thank the NYPD for their strong work,” the statement added.
The three young attackers surrendered Saturday, and two were charged: a 12-year-old who faces a second-degree gang-assault rap and a 13-year-old for third-degree gang assault.
The third boy, 14, was not charged after cops determined he was not an aggressor.
Police are still looking for two other members of the brat pack, including a girl who allegedly threw a punch in the violent attack.
The second wanted suspect is an older boy who wore a New York Yankees cap — and is believed to be the only one in the crowd who struck the former governor during the melee.
According to police, Paterson and his stepson were walking along East 96th Street around 8:30 p.m. Friday when the youngsters approached them. Curtis Sliwa has said the pair were walking the family dog.
Anthony had reprimanded the group earlier for climbing on a fire escape, and the kids allegedly came back to confront him.
Paterson was slugged, but his stepson took the brunt of the blows, with the two youngsters charged Saturday accused of kicking and punching him, the sources said.