NEWARK, NJ – The ex-husband of a “Real Housewives of New Jersey” cast member was convicted Tuesday on charges that he hired a reputed mobster to assault the woman’s boyfriend in exchange for a free, lavish wedding reception.
A federal jury has found Thomas Manzo of Franklin Lakes guilty of conspiracy, falsifying and concealing documents, and committing a crime of violence in furtherance of racketeering activity. The ex-husband of “Real Housewives” cast member Dina Manzo faces up to 46 years in prison when he is sentenced on Oct. 15.
Federal prosecutors have said Thomas Manzo, 59, hired John Perna — whom they describe as a Lucchese Crime Family soldier — to carry out the July 2015 attack. Perna’s wedding reception was held the following month at a Paterson restaurant partly owned by Manzo, prosecutors said.
Perna pleaded guilty in December 2020 to committing a violent crime in support of racketeering activities and was sentenced to 2.5 years in prison. He was released last August. Dina Manzo’s boyfriend is now her husband.
