The ex of “RHONJ” star Dina Manzo was convicted of mob attack on his new husband

Manzo hired John Perna, a Lucchese crime family “soldier,” to attack and wound Dina’s then-boyfriend (now husband) Dave Cantin, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said in a statement. In exchange for the attack, Manzo gave Perna a free wedding reception at a venue he owned, then concealed and falsified documents related to a federal investigation into the attack, Sellinger said.

“The facts and circumstances in this case read like something out of a bad TV crime drama, but the evidence and testimony presented in court proves it to be real,” said James E. Dennehy, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Newark office, in a statement. “We sincerely hope that the victims of this investigation can move on with their lives and forget about Manzo and his criminal mob associates.”

Manzo’s attorneys Marc Agnifilo and Zach Intrater did not respond to requests for comment.

Dina and Thomas married in the mid-2000s, and their wedding was featured on a VH1 reality show. They remained together during Dina’s stint on Real Housewives of New Jersey, where she was a main cast member for the first two seasons in 2009 and 2010, and returned for seasons 4 and 6.

Dina was one of the first stars of “RHONJ,” appearing with her sister Caroline Manzo (who married Thomas’ brother), their rescue puppy, and their cat. Outside of the show, Dina’s loyal fan base landed her an HGTV show, “Dina’s Party,” where she planned parties at her clients’ homes, which ran for two seasons and inspired a book.

Dina announced their split on Twitter in early 2013. “My secret… I’ve been separated since October, my heart hurts but Tommy and I will always share a very special love,” she wrote. She returned for another season of “Real Housewives” in 2014, as a soon-to-be divorcee. “There was this whole dream, I couldn’t wait to have a baby with him,” she confides in the first episode of season six. “I feel almost alone.”

It is not clear when exactly Dina met Dave Cantin, but according to the law firm, the two had been together since July 18, 2015. That was when her new boyfriend was followed to a New Jersey mall by her ex Thomas and his mafia-connected accomplice Perna.

Authorities said Perna attacked Dave with a blunt weapon in the parking lot with the help of a member of his gang.

A month later, Manzo allegedly rewarded Perna with a lavish wedding ceremony – reportedly at the Brownstone, an upscale catering hall and wedding venue owned by Manzo. According to the public prosecutor’s office, more than 330 guests attended the reception, including members of the crime family.

Manzo was arrested in connection with the attack in 2020 and pleaded not guilty. Perna, the attacker and a “made” member of the crime family according to the indictment, pleaded guilty to the attack in December of that year and was sentenced to 30 months in prison six months later.

Manzo now faces a maximum sentence of more than 40 years in prison and a fine of up to $500,000 for all three counts. His sentencing is scheduled for October 15.

He is also awaiting trial for a second attack on the Cantins, in which he is alleged to have been involved two years after the mall brawl.

Manzo was accused of being involved in a burglary at Dina and Dave’s Holmdel, New Jersey, townhouse in 2017, shortly before their wedding. When authorities responded to a 911 call, they found the couple having broken free from zip ties, according to NBC New York. They had reportedly been attacked with a baseball bat, and Dina told investigators a suspect stole her engagement ring from her finger.