Thomas Manzo, the ex-husband of Dina Manzo of “The Real Housewives of New Jersey,” was arrested Tuesday in New Jersey along with a member of the Lucchese crime family on charges of assault and extortion.
In a press release obtained by Fox News, the United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey, Craig Carpenito, announced that Manzo, 55, of Franklin Lakes, NJ, and John Perna, 43, of Cedar Grove, NJ They are accused of planning and carrying out an assault on Dina’s current husband Dave Cantin in exchange for a “luxurious” wedding for Perna at a discounted 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.
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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.
Perna allegedly planned and carried out the assault in July 2015. He then arranged a lavish wedding at the Brownstone at a cheaper price paid by another member of Lucchese’s associate, according to the statement, citing court documents.
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“The wedding and reception, held in August 2015, was attended by approximately 330 people and included many members of the Lucchese Crime Family,” the document read.
Manzo’s additional charge of falsifying and concealing records is related to the federal investigation of the July 2015 assault and documents related to Perna’s wedding reception in August 2015.
“Manzo failed to turn over the relevant documents in response to those subpoenas and deliberately submitted a false document about the receipt to the government, along with a false certification. In November 2019, FBI agents executed a search warrant at the Brownstone restaurant and confiscated bills. for Perna’s wedding reception in August 2015 and other relevant documents that were not previously released, “the New Jersey Fiscal District Office stated in the statement.
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Furthermore, before starting a state prison sentence in January 2016, the release indicates that Perna is accused of falsely reporting that his Mercedes Benz was stolen and burned. He then filed an insurance claim for the Mercedes to offset the balance owed on the Mercedes Benz. According to the New Jersey District Attorney’s Office, Perna allegedly organized the vehicle theft and arson along with other members of the Lucchese family.
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 “The Real Housewives of New Jersey” before officially leaving in 2015 to move to California, where she married Cantin in 2017.
She has a daughter, Lexi Ioannou, from a previous relationship.
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Dina’s sister Carolina Manzo also appeared on the reality series. She is married to Albert Manzo, the brother of Thomas, who is a co-owner of Brownstone.
