Reality TV Figure’s Criminal Ties: Sentenced for Scheming with Infamous Crime Family

Handcuffed hands in orange jumpsuit behind bars.

Thomas Manzo, at the center of a legal storm, faces a seven-year prison sentence for orchestrating an attack tied to organized crime and reality TV drama.

At a Glance

Thomas Manzo sentenced to seven years for hiring a mobster to assault David Cantin.
John Perna of the Lucchese Crime Family was hired for the assault.
Manzo traded the attack for a lavish reception at his catering hall.
Manzo faces three years of supervised release after prison.
U.S. Attorney emphasizes the seriousness of the crimes.

The Sentence for a Desperate Act

Thomas Manzo, former husband of “Real Housewives of New Jersey” star Dina Manzo, has been sentenced to seven years in prison. He orchestrated an attack against Dina’s now-husband, David Cantin. Manzo enlisted the aid of Lucchese Crime Family member John Perna in 2015. He hoped this vile act would deter Cantin from his relationship with Dina. This sentencing marks the conclusion of a case that unraveled the sinister ties between organized crime and personal vendettas.

Manzo’s transaction, the wrenching tale of hiring Perna, was revealed in court. In exchange for the attack, he hosted Perna’s wedding reception at The Brownstone, a catering venue he co-owns. The heinous assault took place in a strip mall parking lot in Passaic County, New Jersey, further igniting public drama intertwined with reality television.

"Real Housewives of New Jersey" star Dina Manzo's ex was convicted in a mob assault plot.https://t.co/or1V7FPTkk

— New York Daily News (@NYDailyNews) June 5, 2024

Legal Consequences and Repercussions

The charges were severe. Manzo faced conviction for violent crime in aid of racketeering, conspiracy, and document falsification. He received three additional years of supervised release. Meanwhile, Perna pled guilty to aiding racketeering and was sentenced to 30 months. Released in August 2023, Perna’s cooperation in this case highlighted the criminal dealings in exchange for luxurious favors.

“Whether you’re actually in the Mafia or not, hiring the mob to assault someone because of your marital problems is abhorrent,” U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Philip R. Sellinger stated. “Covering up the role you played only makes it worse. The jury’s verdict and today’s sentence make clear that this office will spare no resources to hold accountable anyone who commits such crimes.”

This case further exacerbates the public discourse surrounding organized crime involvement in personal matters. Manzo’s orchestrations pushed Dina and Cantin into a forced relocation to California after a planned 2017 home invasion. The sentencing announcement came from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in New Jersey, drawing significant public and media attention.

'Real Housewives of New Jersey' alum Dina Manzo's ex-husband Thomas Manzo was sentenced to 7 years for hiring an alleged member of the mob to beat up her boyfriend. https://t.co/lzjym6TnjK

— Entertainment Weekly (@EW) October 16, 2024

Fallout from Reality TV Drama

Dina Cantin has remained relatively quiet but has shown her support through social media. Her past on “Real Housewives of New Jersey” adds another layer of intrigue to the case. Separation from Manzo came in 2012; their divorce finalized in 2016, while Cantin became her husband in 2017. Legal documents also unveiled Manzo’s efforts to falsify papers responding to a grand jury subpoena.

“Whether you’re actually in the Mafia or not, hiring the mob to assault someone because of your marital problems is abhorrent,” U.S. Attorney Sellinger reiterated. This case underscores the complexities when reality TV extends beyond screens, often crossing into real-life legal and criminal ramifications.