UPDATE: (6/30/20), 3:04 PM ET) — Thomas Manzo’s attorney, Michael Critchley, tells HollywoodLife that his client is out on $100,000 unsecured bail. “As they relate to Tom Manzo, the allegations in the indictment resemble a fictional plot of a reality TV show and at trial will be proven to be absolutely and totally baseless,” Critchley says.
ORIGINAL: (6/30/20, 2:35 PM ET) — Thomas Manzo, the ex-husband of former Real Housewives of New Jersey star, Dina Cantin (formerly Manzo) was charged by federal prosecutors on Tuesday, June 30 with conspiring to assault David Cantin in the spring of 2015, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in New Jersey. At the time, David was Dina’s boyfriend. They went on to marry in 2017, and Dina (now 48) confirmed the union in May of 2019. HollywoodLife has reached out to a representative for Dina for comment.
Thomas Manzo, 55, of Franklin Lakes, allegedly hired John Perna, 43, of Cedar Grove — an alleged member of the Lucchese Crime Family — to carry out an assault on David (now 40), prosecutors allege. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in New Jersey said Thomas Manzo and John Perna both face multiple charges over the assault, which they allege Manzo commissioned from Perna in exchange for a heavily discounted wedding reception at The Brownstone in Paterson. Manzo is part owner in the restaurant, according to the indictment.
(Photo credit: Dina Cantin/Instagram)
Among the charges are “committing a violent crime in aid of racketeering activity and conspiracy to commit a violent crime in aid of racketeering activity,” the indictment states.
Manzo allegedly provided Perna with personal information about his ex-wife’s then-boyfriend, including David’s residence, business addresses and vehicle, to carry out the alleged attack, according to the indictment.
The charges and allegations in the indictment are accusations at this time, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Dina and Thomas split in late 2012 and their divorce was finalized nearly four years later. Dina began dating David in 2015, and later married the entrepreneur in June of 2017. Dina and David relocated from New Jersey to the West Coast, following a 2017 home invasion at their townhouse. Dina was a full-time cast member on Seasons 1 and 2 (2009 and 2010) of Bravo’s Real Housewives of New Jersey, alongside sister Caroline Manzo.
This story is still developing. Please check back for updates.