New York: The new governor of New York, David Paterson, who assumed power after his predecessor stepped down in a sex scandal admitted to the New York Daily News that both he and his wife had extramarital affairs years ago.

Paterson, 53, the former lieutenant governor who was sworn in to replace Eliot Spitzer on Monday, told the Daily News he agreed to speak about his marital difficulties in response to rumors about his private life that had been circulating among reporters in the state capital of Albany.

He denied rumours that he had a child out of wedlock.

Michelle Paterson, 46, gave a joint interview to the paper with her husband, saying, "Like most marriages, you go through certain difficult periods. What's important is for your kids to see you worked them out."

The report said the governor maintained a relationship with an unidentified woman for two or three years until 2001, sometimes staying at a hotel on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.

The paper gave no details of Michelle Paterson's affair.