Dina Manzo’s ex-husband has been ordered not to go near the former “Real Housewives” star and her current husband after his arrest earlier this week.
Thomas Manzo was arrested Tuesday in New Jersey along with John Perna, an alleged member of the Lucchese crime family, on assault and racketeering charges, U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey Craig Carpenito said in a press release.
Thomas Manzo, 55, and Perna, 43, both of New Jersey, are accused of planning and carrying out an assault on Dina Manzo’s husband, Dave Cantin.
Thomas Manzo allegedly hired Perna to carry out the 2015 assault in exchange for a discounted “lavish” wedding reception at the Brownstone Restaurant in Paterson, N.J., which he co-owns. Both men have been charged by indictment with committing a violent crime in aid of racketeering activity and conspiracy to commit a violent crime in aid of racketeering activity.
According to documents obtained by 360aproko, Manzo’s bail is currently set at $100,000. If he makes bail, the former reality star husband can only travel within New Jersey and must surrender all passports.
Manzo is also “not to have any contact with the victims” unless an attorney is present, the report said.
Manzo has also been charged with falsifying and concealing records related to the federal investigation of the assault and documents related to Perna’s August 2015 wedding reception.
“Manzo failed to turn over relevant documents in response to those subpoenas and deliberately submitted a false document regarding the reception to the government, along with a false certification. In November 2019, agents with the FBI executed a search warrant at the Brownstone Restaurant and seized invoices for the August 2015 Perna wedding reception and other relevant documents that were not previously turned over,” prosecutors said.
Manzo and Perna face up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the racketeering charges. Both defendants made initial appearances on Tuesday via videoconference before U.S. Magistrate Cathy L. Waldor.
Dina Manzo appeared on four seasons of “The Real Housewives of New Jersey” before departing in 2015 to relocate to California. She married Cantin in 2017.
