The ex-husband of a Real Housewives of New Jersey cast member was convicted of hiring a mobster to assault his ex-wife’s then boyfriend in exchange for a free wedding, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced Tuesday.
Thomas Manzo, 59, of Franklin Lakes was convicted by a federal jury after a two-week trial of committing a violent crime in aid of racketeering activity, conspiracy to commit a violent crime in aid of racketeering resulting in serious injury and falsifying and concealing documents related to the investigation.
Prosecutors said in the spring of 2015, Manzo hired John Perna, a “made man” in the Lucchese Crime Family, to attack his ex-wife, Dina’s boyfriend. In exchange, Manzo provided a free wedding for Perna at the catering venue Manzo co-owned in Paterson called The Brownstone, officials said.
Perna planned the attack with associates from the Lucchese family and carried out a violent assault on Dina’s boyfriend on July 18, 2015, authorities said. Manzo concealed and falsified documents relating to Perna’s wedding at The Brownstone during the investigation, officials said.
Manzo was indicted in 2021 along with another man on separate charges of breaking into his ex-wife’s townhome in Holmdel in 2017 and beating his ex-wife’s husband with a baseball bat and assaulting his ex-wife. Manzo and his co-conspirator allegedly bound the two together and stole cash and jewelry from around the house during the home invasion.
Manzo is still awaiting trial in the home invasion and assault from 2017, according to court records.
Perna pleaded guilty in 2020 to committing a violent crime in aid of racketeering activity, and was sentenced in 2021 to 30 months in prison, the U.S. Attorney’s Office previously announced.
Attorneys for Manzo did not immediately return a request for comment Tuesday evening.
Sentencing in Manzo federal case is scheduled for Oct. 15, 2024.
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Matthew Enuco may be reached at Menuco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow Matt on X
