Franklin Lakes, New Jersey – The ex-husband of a former star of “Real Housewives of New Jersey” has been found guilty of orchestrating a violent attack on his ex-wife’s new romantic partner. Thomas Manzo, 59, was convicted of conspiracy, falsifying and concealing documents for a federal investigation, and committing a violent crime in aid of racketeering activity.
According to U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger, Manzo hired a member of the Lucchese crime family, John Perna, to carry out the attack on Dina Cantin’s then-boyfriend, now-husband, Dave Cantin. In exchange for the assault, Manzo provided Perna with a free wedding reception at a venue he owned. Manzo was also accused of concealing and falsifying documents related to the federal investigation into the incident.
FBI Special Agent in Charge, James E. Dennehy, described the case as resembling something out of a crime drama but emphasized that the evidence presented in court confirmed it was a harsh reality. He expressed hope that the victims involved in the investigation would be able to move forward from the ordeal.
Manzo’s attorneys, Marc Agnifilo and Zach Intrater, did not comment on the verdict. Manzo and Dina, who married in the mid-2000s, were known to fans of the reality show during her time on “Real Housewives of New Jersey.” Despite their televised wedding and subsequent appearances on the show, the couple eventually split.
The attack on Dave Cantin occurred in July 2015 when Perna used a weapon to assault him in a New Jersey strip mall parking lot. Following the incident, Perna was rewarded with a lavish wedding ceremony reportedly held at a high-end catering hall owned by Manzo. The wedding reception was attended by over 330 guests, including members of the crime family.
Manzo’s sentencing, scheduled for Oct. 15, carries a potential maximum sentence of over 40 years in prison and fines totaling up to $500,000 for the three counts. Additionally, he is awaiting trial for a second attack on the Cantins in 2017, where he allegedly participated in a home invasion. Authorities responded to a 911 call reporting the incident, during which the couple had reportedly been attacked with a baseball bat.