Las Vegas Sands SVP and Stepson Injured in Upper East Side Assault

Las Vegas Sands Senior Vice President David Paterson, who used to be New York’s Governor, and Anthony Sliwa, his stepson, got attacked on the Upper East Side of Manhattan last Friday. 

Paterson and Sliwa Hospitalized After Upper East Side Attack

The incident happened at about 8:30 p.m. on Second Avenue close to 96th Street. Both men ended up hurt and needed treatment at a hospital. The people who attacked them were a bunch of folks, including two grown-ups and two kids. The police have caught them all now and charged them with gang assault.

The fight started earlier that night when Sliwa, 20, noticed some young people climbing a fire escape. Worried they might vandalize or rob, he approached them. Things calmed down at first, but about 45 minutes later, the same group now joined by more people, ran into Paterson and Sliwa again. Things got heated leading to a physical fight.

Paterson, 70, who is legally blind, got a head injury, while Sliwa got hurt worse, with face injuries needing stitches. They both went to Weill Cornell Medical Center for care and left the next day.

The group charged for the attack includes two workers from the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), Travor Nurse, 40, and Diamond Minter, 34, who face charges of second-degree gang assault. Two kids aged 12 and 13 also have gang assault charges against them. 

Police talked to a third youngster but did not charge them. Police say Nurse and Minter pushed the kids to join in the attack.

Paterson Calls for Reflection After Family’s Experience with Street Crime

Paterson and his family feel relieved that the police caught the suspects. The former governor’s spokesperson said they hope this experience teaches the young attackers something. Paterson praised his stepson for being brave during the attack pointing out that Sliwa stepped in to shield him when things got rough. 

Curtis Sliwa, who started the Guardian Angels and is Anthony’s dad, also applauded his son’s actions. He said Anthony showed guts by standing firm and protecting Paterson.The attack happened as concerns have grown about street crime and public safety in New York City where Paterson has lived for many years. While nothing suggested Paterson was a target because of his political career, the assault highlights the problems of urban crime.

Paterson released a statement saying he loves New York but pointed out the troubling fact that these incidents can occur even in neighborhoods you know well and once thought were safe.