“The Real Housewives of New Jersey” star Caroline Manzo has spoken after the arrest of Thomas Manzo, ex-husband of his sister Dina Manzo.
Thomas, 55, was arrested Tuesday in New Jersey on assault and extortion charges after allegedly conspiring with a mobster to carry out an assault on Dina’s current husband Dave Cantin.
Now, in an interview with “Extra,” Caroline, 58, married to Thomas’s brother Albert, spoke about the family drama.
DAVID FOSTER SAYS ‘HE WILL NEVER REVEAL’ THE REASON WHY HE DIVORCED YOLANDA HADID
“We are heartbroken. This is a family from both sides,” he said. “I want to know the truth and my loyalty will lie with the truth.”
The reality star added: “We don’t run away from things like this, we tackle them and I feel comfortable with that because we are being painted with a brush that does not reflect who we are as people.”
Dina, 48, separated from Thomas in 2012 after seven years of marriage before their divorce was finalized in 2016.
THE STAR OF ‘RHOBH’ BRANDI GLANVILLE PUBLISHES A PHOTO THAT APPEARS TO KISS DENISE RICHARDS, KEEPING IT HIS
In a press release obtained by Fox News, the United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey, Craig Carpenito, announced that Manzo of Franklin Lakes, NJ, and John Perna, 43, of Cedar Grove, NJ, are accused of planning and carry out an assault on Cantin, in exchange for a “luxurious” wedding for Perna at a reduced price.
Manzo and Perna are charged on charges of having committed a violent crime in aid of organized crime activities and conspiracy to commit a violent crime in aid of organized crime activities.
The indictment also charges Perna, described as a “Lucchese crime family soldier”, with conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud related to filing a bogus auto insurance claim. Manzo was also accused of falsifying and concealing records related to the federal investigation of the crime.
According to the statement, court documents describe Manzo as a co-owner of the Brownstone restaurant in Paterson, NJ, who hired Perna in 2015 to assault Cantin in exchange for a “discounted” wedding reception at the venue.
GARCELLE BEAUVAIS SAYS ‘HE WAS PRESSURE’ LIKE THE FIRST BLACK STAR ‘RHOBH’
Perna allegedly planned and carried out the assault in July 2015. She then arranged a lavish wedding reception at the Brownstone at a cheaper price paid by a Lucchese family associate, according to the statement, citing court documents.
Manzo and Perna could face up to 20 years in prison and a $ 250,000 fine on the extortion charges against them. Both defendants made appearances on Tuesday via video conference before US Magistrate Judge Cathy L. Waldor.
Dina appeared in four seasons of “Housewives” before officially leaving in 2015 to move to California, where she married Cantin in 2017.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
She has a daughter, Lexi Ioannou, from a previous relationship.
Caroline was a major player in five seasons of the show, and has appeared in small capacity multiple times since her departure.
Fox News’ Jessica Napoli contributed to this report.
