New N.Y. Gov Tells All at Press Conference
Gov. Paterson and his wife say they both cheated, but she cheated first.
NEW YORK, March 18, 2008— -- The New York governor's office sounded like the set for a soap opera today as the new governor announced he has had a series of extramarital affairs that he says were born out of jealousy over his wife's cheating.
Gov. David Paterson's pronouncement came a day after his swearing-in and an initial bombshell declaration that he had once cheated on his wife.
His news conference today was held to make clear that both he and his wife, Michelle, had had more than one affair.
Paterson became governor Monday, replacing Eliot Spitzer, who left office two days ago in disgrace for having spent thousands of dollars on hookers.
In making his revelations, Paterson appeared to set a new standard for elected officials by saying that he was coming clean so that he could not be "blackmailed." Paterson also said he and his wife answered detailed questions about their cheating ways because New Yorkers deserve to know the truth about their representatives.
The couple agreed at the Albany news conference that both had more than one affair and that Michelle was the first to be unfaithful.
"I was angry and jealous and I exercised poor judgment," said Paterson in explaining why he had affairs with several women from 1999 to 2001.
The governor emphasized that he never used campaign or government funds for any of his liaisons.
He denied doing favors for the women, including at least one who worked in state government but did not work for him. Paterson conceded that he assisted one person who asked him to speak to someone about some medical problems.
