New N.Y. governor, wife admit extramarital affairs

By Daniel Trotta

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The new governor of New York admitted to past extramarital affairs and one by his wife on Tuesday, seeking to quash even more wild rumors and move past the tumult caused by his predecessor's resignation amid a sex scandal.

In an excruciating 25-minute news conference in the state capital of Albany, David Paterson, 53, and his wife Michelle Paterson, 46, fielded questions from reporters about their affairs a day after Paterson was sworn into office.

The former lieutenant governor replaced Eliot Spitzer, who resigned following a New York Times report that he was under federal investigation for patronizing a prostitution ring.

Jealous after learning of his wife's infidelity several years ago, Paterson said he began affairs of his own while a state senator, and he revealed the matter now in part to avoid being blackmailed by anyone threatening to reveal the secret.

They did not reveal names. Paterson said he never had affairs with subordinates and never used state funds to pay for expenses related to the liaisons. None of his partners had business with the state, he said.

"I haven't broken any laws. I don't think I've violated my oath of office. I saw this as a private matter, that both of us committed acts of infidelity," Paterson said.

The Patersons overcame their problems through counseling and the Democratic governor said he hoped to put the issue to rest so he could get on with the state's business, including closing a $5 billion budget gap.

"We're very much in love now," Paterson said, adding that he and his wife would have preferred to take these secrets "to our graves" but were confronted about their past when he assumed the top post in state.