Quote:

http://www.nysun.com/article/73157

ALBANY — Saying he wanted to clear his conscience and avoid being blackmailed, Governor Paterson acknowledged in a press conference today that he had multiple extramarital affairs over a period of years, including with one woman on the state payroll.

"I didn't want it hanging over my head. I didn't want to be compromised," Mr. Paterson said, standing beside his wife, Michelle Paige Paterson.

He said he didn't break any laws and denied using taxpayer money to support the relationships. He said he might have used campaign funds but not "knowingly."

Mr. Paterson told the Daily News he met with a woman at the Days Inn at W. 94th Street in Manhattan. His campaign records show payments to the hotel in 2002 and 2003.

His disclosure of infidelities came a day after he was sworn into office to complete the four-year term of Governor Spitzer, who resigned last week after it emerged that he spent tens of thousands of dollars on high-end prostitutes. Mr. Paterson has denied that he has used prostitutes.

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