Ex-husband of 'Real Housewives' star convicted of hiring mobster to assault her boyfriend
Dina Manzo attends an event on July 21, 2014, in New York. Thomas Manzo, the ex-husband of the “Real Housewives of New Jersey” cast member, was convicted Tuesday, June 4, 2024, on charges he hired a reputed mobster to assault the woman’s then-boyfriend and now husband in exchange for a free, lavish wedding reception. Credit: AP/Scott Roth
NEWARK, N.J. — The ex-husband of a “Real Housewives of New Jersey” cast member was convicted Tuesday on charges he hired a reputed mobster to assault the woman’s boyfriend in exchange for a free, lavish wedding reception.
A federal jury found Thomas Manzo of Franklin Lakes guilty of conspiracy, falsifying and concealing documents, and committing a violent crime in aid of racketeering activity. The ex-husband of “Real Housewives” cast member Dina Manzo faces up to 46 years in prison when he's sentenced Oct. 15.
Federal prosecutors have said Thomas Manzo, 59, hired John Perna — whom they described as a soldier in the Lucchese Crime Family — to commit the July 2015 attack. Perna’s wedding reception was held the following month at a restaurant in Paterson partly owned by Manzo, prosecutors said.
Perna pleaded guilty in December 2020 to committing a violent crime in aid of racketeering activity and received a 2 1/2-year sentence. He was freed last August. Dina Manzo's boyfriend is now her husband.
Newsday's 2026 high school football fantasy draft Newsday high school sports editor Gregg Sarra and his staff choose their top picks in the annual fantasy draft.
Newsday's 2026 high school football fantasy draft Newsday high school sports editor Gregg Sarra and his staff choose their top picks in the annual fantasy draft.
