Dina Manzo attends an event on July 21, 2014, in...

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.

County official tied to illicit massage spa ... Hempstead house fire ... MTA boad approves LIRR union contracts Credit: Newsday

County official tied to illicit massage spa ... Guilty plea in fatal shooting of detective ... Two accused in bat attack ... Why our are waters Caribbean blue?

County official tied to illicit massage spa ... Hempstead house fire ... MTA boad approves LIRR union contracts Credit: Newsday

County official tied to illicit massage spa ... Guilty plea in fatal shooting of detective ... Two accused in bat attack ... Why our are waters Caribbean blue?

SUBSCRIBE

Unlimited Digital AccessOnly 25¢for 6 months

ACT NOWSALE ENDS SOON | CANCEL ANYTIME