Thomas “Tommy” Manzo was found guilty by a federal grand jury Tuesday of conspiracy, falsifying and concealing documents and committing a violent crime in aid of racketeering activity after hiring Lucchese crime family member John Perna to rough up Dave Cantin in 2015.
He faces up to 46 years in prison and a $500,000 fine. His sentencing is set for Oct. 15.
Dina Manzo’s ex-husband, Tommy Manzo, has been convicted of hiring mobster John Perna to assault her then-boyfriend, Dave Cantin. Thomas P. Costello via NJ Courts via Imagn Content Services, LLC He faces up to 46 years in prison and a $500,000 fine. Thomas P. Costello via NJ Courts via Imagn Content Services, LLC
The Bravo star’s partner Dave Cantin, whom she married in 2017, was left bruised and bloodied after Perna used a slapjack to physically assault him in the parking lot of a North Jersey strip mall.
According to prosecutors, Tommy, 59, hired Perna, who hails from Cedar Grove, N.J. and is the son of former mob boss Ralph Perna, because he “was outraged that his former wife became romantically involved with another man.”
Perna was reportedly paid with a discounted wedding reception at Tommy’s Paterson, N.J. catering hall, The Brownstone, shortly after the deed was done.
Cantin was left bloodied and bruised in a New Jersey parking lot in 2015. Instagram/@dina According to federal prosecutors, Tommy hired Perna because he “was outraged that his former wife became romantically involved with another man.” Instagram/@dina
Perna already served three years in prison after pleading guilty to committing a violent crime in aid of racketeering activity. He was released in 2023.
Meanwhile, Tommy remained free on bail.
“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,” James E. Dennehy, head of FBI’s Newark field office, said in a statement Tuesday following the verdict.
“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.”
Tommy paid Perna by hosting his wedding reception at his Paterson, N.J. catering hall at a deeply discounted price. VH1 Tommy had previously faced charges for the crime but they were dropped in March. He was indicted again only weeks later. VH1
Tommy had previously faced charges of committing a violent crime in aid of racketeering activity and conspiracy to commit a violent crime in aid of racketeering activity in a 2020 indictment but got the charges thrown out in March.
He argued his rights under the Speedy Trial Act were violated because prosecutors took too long to get the trial underway.
The Speedy Trial Act of 1974 dictates that a trial “must commence within 70 days from the date the information or indictment was filed, or from the date the defendant appears before an officer of the court in which the charge is pending.”
The successful restauranteur’s guilty verdict is just one of his legal troubles.
According to The Post, he has pending charges for allegedly breaking into Dina and Cantin’s home in Holmdel, N.J., with another man in May 2017. They are accused of beating the couple with a bat before robbing them and fleeing the scene.
Dina and Tommy divorced in 2016. Scott Roth/Invision/AP However, they had been separated since 2012 after his alleged infidelity. NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images
Dina married Cantin in 2017 — one year after officially divorcing Tommy. She and Tommy separated in 2012 over his alleged infidelity after seven years of marriage.
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