RHONJ Star's Ex Convicted of Plotting Attack with Mobster on Her Husband

GettyImages-459399526 Dina Manzo at Cipriani gala event

Dina Manzo Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images

Dina Manzo's ex-husband, Thomas Manzo, has been found guilty of hiring a reputed mobster in 2015 to attack her then-boyfriend. The 59-year-old Thomas was convicted by a federal jury on charges of conspiracy, falsifying documents, and committing a violent crime in support of racketeering activity on June 4, as reported by the Associated Press.

Thomas, who lives in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, hired someone to attack Dina's then-boyfriend, now-husband, David Cantin. The motive behind the attack was to receive a "free, lavish wedding reception."

The incident occurred on July 18, 2015, and Thomas is now facing a potential prison sentence of up to 46 years. His sentencing is scheduled for October 15.

The outlet also mentioned that federal prosecutors identified John Perna as a member of the Lucchese Crime Family, calling him a "soldier." According to ABC News, Perna's wedding reception took place in August 2015 at The Brown Stone catering hall in Paterson, New Jersey, which is owned by Thomas.

In December 2020, Perna admitted to participating in a violent crime connected to racketeering. He was sentenced to two and a half years in prison and was released in August 2023.

According to ABC News, court documents revealed that Thomas was unhappy about his ex-wife's new relationship and intended for the assault to result in a lasting facial scar.

In a statement shared by ABC News, FBI Newark Special Agent in Charge Jim Dennehy expressed that the details of this case may sound like a plot from a fictional crime show, but the evidence presented in court confirms that it was a harsh reality. Dennehy added that he hopes the victims involved in this investigation can now move forward with their lives and leave behind Manzo and his criminal associates.

In January, Page Six reported that Thomas had made an attempt to dismiss charges related to a 2015 assault. The case revolved around a 2020 indictment which stated that Thomas had made an agreement with a member of the Lucchese crime family to attack his ex-wife's then-boyfriend, David Cantin, in a North Jersey parking lot five years prior.

Thomas and Dina, who were part of the first two seasons of RHONJ, got married in 2007 at The Brown Stone. Their lavish wedding was shown on the VH1 series, My Big Fat Fabulous Wedding.

After separating in 2012, the couple officially divorced in 2016. Dina later married Cantin in 2017.

Editor's P/S:

The conviction of Thomas Man