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.

Disturbing new video footage captures the moment former Gov. David Paterson and his stepson were beaten, allegedly by two city housing authority workers and a rowdy brat pack on an Upper East Side sidewalk.

The former governor and his stepson were attacked Friday while they were walking in Manhattan's Upper East Side.

Former Gov. David Paterson and his stepson, Anthony Sliwa, turned into a dynamic duo as they fought off ruffians who were punching them and jumping on them on the Upper East side, the

Former New York Gov. David Paterson and his stepson were victims of a "gang assault" in New York City on Friday night, authorities said.

Two teens have been arrested and charged with gang assault for the attack on former New York Gov. David Paterson and his 20-year-old stepson, authorities say.

Two boys have been arrested for attacking former New York Gov. David Paterson and his stepson on the Upper East Side. The boys, ages 12 and 13, were charged with gang assault after turning themselves in at a police precinct with their parents.

David Paterson said that neither of them recognised the attackers, and did not believe it had anything to do with his history in politics.