'Real Housewives of New Jersey' star’s ex convicted of conspiring with mafia to assault her current husband

NEWARK, N.J. (TCD) -- A former "Real Housewives of New Jersey" cast member’s ex-husband was found guilty this week of working with a prominent crime family to plan an assault on the woman’s now-husband.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey announced Tuesday, June 4, that 59-year-old Thomas Manzo was convicted of committing a violent crime in aid of racketeering, one count of conspiracy to commit a violent crime in aid of racketeering resulting in serious bodily injury, and one count of falsifying and concealing documents related to a federal investigation following a 2.5-week-long trial.

John Perna is a "made" member of the Lucchese crime family, which means he worked under "captains," or "capos," and had subordinates who were "associates," according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. It says a made member "controls the day-to-day criminal activities of his own crew, and enjoys the benefits of their criminal activities.”

According to the statement, Manzo hired Perna to attack Dave Cantin, and as part of the deal, Perna hosted a "lavish" wedding reception at an upscale venue Manzo owned for free. Manzo and Perna’s indictment said Manzo was "upset" that Cantin was in a relationship with his ex-wife Dina, so he "planned to have a violent assault committed on [Cantin] that would leave a permanent facial scar."

Perna ordered an associate who worked under him to commit the assault because the associated "was expected to comply with defendant John Perna’s commands and because he intended to maintain and enhance his position with the Enterprise as a result."

On July 18, 2015, the associate and Perna followed Cantin to a mall in Passaic County, where they attacked him with a slapjack.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office claimed Manzo also created fake documents after getting subpoenaed related to the wedding.

Perna pleaded guilty in December 2020 to committing a violent crime in aid of racketeering activity and was sentenced to 30 months in prison.

Manzo could face up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the violent crime in aid of racketeering charge. He will be sentenced in October.

FBI — Newark Special Agent in Charge James Dennehy said, "The facts and circumstances in this case read like something from a bad TV crime drama, but the evidence and testimony presented in court prove it was reality. We truly hope the victims in this investigation are able to move on with their lives and forget about Manzo and his criminal mafia bedfellows."

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