Ex-husband of ‘Real Housewives’ NJ star hired mobster to attack her boyfriend, feds say
A “The Real Housewives of New Jersey” star’s ex-husband was upset over her relationship with another man — and planned to have him violently beaten in an attack to permanently scar his face, court documents say.
Thomas Manzo, who was formerly married to Dina Manzo, hired accused mobster John Perna for the job in the spring of 2015, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey.
In exchange for beating Dina Manzo’s then-boyfriend, Perna, a Lucchese Crime Family “soldier,” got to host a luxurious wedding reception for free at a venue owned by Thomas Manzo, federal prosecutors said.
Perna violently assaulted Dina Manzo’s boyfriend, who’s now her husband, with the help of his associates on July 18, 2015, leaving him badly injured, according to prosecutors.
Perna and an accomplice followed him to a strip mall in Passaic County, New Jersey, where Perna attacked the man with a “dangerous” weapon, specifically a “slap jack,” court documents say.
Manzo let Perna host more than 330 guests — including many Lucchese Crime Family members — at a wedding reception at his restaurant the next month, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office.
The discounted event was held at The Brownstone, a catering hall in Paterson, Northjersey.com reported.
Now, a jury has convicted Manzo, 59, of Franklin Lakes, of one count of committing a violent crime in aid of racketeering activity, one count of conspiracy to commit a violent crime in aid of racketeering resulting in serious bodily injury, and one count of falsifying and concealing documents related to a federal investigation, prosecutors announced June 4.
“The facts and circumstances in this case read like something from a bad TV crime drama, but the evidence and testimony presented in court prove it was reality,” FBI – Newark special agent in charge James E. Dennehy said in a news release.
Manzo’s attorneys, Marc Agnifilo and Zach Intrater, didn’t immediately respond to McClatchy News’ request for comment on June 5.
After Perna hosted the 2015 wedding, Manzo hid documents related to the event, according to U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger.
Perna gets prison time
Manzo’s conviction comes nearly three years after Perna was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison on June 10, 2021, in connection with the assault, prosecutors announced that month. At the time, Perna lived in Cedar Grove, New Jersey.
Ahead of sentencing, Perna pleaded guilty to committing a violent crime in aid of racketeering activity, according to prosecutors.
He was ordered to pay $17,816 in restitution as part of his sentence, which was to be followed by three years of supervised release, prosecutors said.
Perna, 47, was released from prison in August, records show.
Attorney Stacy Biancamano, who represented Perna, didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment from McClatchy News on June 5.
Perna, “a ‘made’ member of the Lucchese Crime Family,” and Manzo knew each other through “various common connections,” according to Manzo’s indictment.
The Lucchese Crime Family is part of a “nationwide criminal organization” known as “the Mafia,” “La Cosa Nostra” and “the MOB,” prosecutors wrote in the indictment.
Manzo faces several years in prison
Dina Manzo, who starred in seasons 1 and 2 of “The Real Housewives of New Jersey,” was married to Thomas Manzo for seven years, divorced him in 2012 and then married David Cantin in 2017, according to People.
Her sister Caroline Manzo, who also starred in the reality show, is the wife of Thomas Manzo’s older brother — and previously supported Thomas Manzo in a written letter, the outlet reports.
On May 25, 2021, Dina Manzo’s friend shared an Instagram post that shows a photo of her sister and Thomas Manzo, titled “Thick as Thieves” after Caroline Manzo called Thomas Manzo “kind-hearted and caring” in court papers, according to People.
“I’m starting to think some just expect us to stay quiet while they continue to hurt others…’” Dina Manzo commented on the post.
“I’ll say it again…it’s not ok to take kindness for weakness.”
Earlier in May 2021, Thomas Manzo was charged in connection with a May 13, 2017, home invasion at Dina Manzo’s home, NBC New York reported.
In the federal case, he is facing up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the count of committing a violent crime in aid of racketeering activity; up to three years in prison on the count of conspiracy to commit violent crime in aid of racketeering; and up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on one count of falsifying and concealing records related to a federal investigation.
He is due in court for a sentencing hearing set for Oct. 15, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office.
“We truly hope the victims in this investigation are able to move on with their lives and forget about Manzo and his criminal mafia bedfellows,” Dennehy said in the release.
This story was originally published June 5, 2024 at 11:40 AM with the headline "Ex-husband of ‘Real Housewives’ NJ star hired mobster to attack her boyfriend, feds say."
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