In a scandal that combined reality television drama with the dark underworld of organized crime, the arrests of Thomas Manzo and John Perna sent shockwaves through both the entertainment world and legal circles.
Authorities accused Thomas Manzo, the ex-husband of Real Housewives of New Jersey star Dina Cantin, of enlisting John Perna, a “made” member of the Lucchese crime family, to violently assault Dina’s new partner, Dave Cantin. In exchange for the attack, Manzo allegedly promised Perna a lavish wedding reception at his venue, The Brownstone.
What began as a personal vendetta spiraled into a high-profile legal battle involving mafia ties, racketeering, and obstruction of justice. This case, with its mix of personal revenge and organized crime, offers a compelling look into how far some are willing to go to settle old scores, making headlines across the nation.
Who is Dina Cantin
Dina Cantin, formerly known as Dina Manzo, is a television personality, philanthropist, and entrepreneur who gained fame as one of the original cast members of the Bravo reality series The Real Housewives of New Jersey (RHONJ). Born on March 7, 1972, in Brooklyn, New York, Dina grew up in a large Italian-American family and later moved to New Jersey, where she became involved in the hospitality business.
She gained recognition through her role on RHONJ, where she appeared alongside her sister, Caroline Manzo. Additionally, she quickly became a fan favorite thanks to her glamorous lifestyle, strong family values, and no-nonsense personality.
Her Marriage To Tommy
Dina Cantin’s marriage to Tommy Manzo was a central aspect of her life and a significant storyline during her time on The Real Housewives of New Jersey (RHONJ). The couple married in 2005, four years before Dina made her debut on the reality series in 2009. Tommy Manzo, co-owner of The Brownstone, a well-known catering hall in Paterson, New Jersey, came from a prominent New Jersey family with deep ties to the restaurant and event industry. Despite their seemingly glamorous lifestyle, their relationship was fraught with difficulties, many of which were revealed over time, both on and off the screen.
She Knew Tommy Was Unfaithful
One of the major strains in their marriage was Tommy’s infidelity, something Dina openly acknowledged. In a 2007 episode of My Big Fabulous Wedding, a reality show featuring extravagant weddings, Dina admitted that she knew Tommy had been unfaithful before they were even married. This revelation provided insight into the rocky foundation of their union. Despite the challenges, they continued to work together in the public eye, with Dina making frequent appearances at The Brownstone and maintaining ties to Tommy’s family, including her sister-in-law and RHONJ co-star Caroline Manzo. Their marriage ultimately ended in separation in 2012, and their divorce was finalized four years later in 2016.
A Violent Attack From Her Ex-Husband
Dina’s personal life took a dramatic turn after her split from Tommy Manzo. After their separation in 2012, Dina began dating Dave, which allegedly upset Thomas. She began a new relationship with Dave Cantin, an entrepreneur and philanthropist, whom she later married in 2017. Their relationship, however, became a source of conflict with her ex-husband, leading to a violent attack on Dave orchestrated by Tommy in 2015.
At the time, Thomas owned the Brownstone, a popular New Jersey venue, and he made a sinister proposition to John Perna, a soldier in the Lucchese crime family, who was looking to book a wedding reception there. In exchange for a free or heavily discounted wedding reception, Manzo asked Perna to assault Dave Cantin. According to court documents, the goal was to leave Cantin with a permanent facial scar.
Perna Carried Out The Deed
According to court documents, Manzo provided Perna with essential details, including Cantin’s home and business addresses, as well as information about his vehicle. This information gave Perna and his crew the ability to monitor Cantin’s movements and ultimately plan the assault. The use of such personal information underscored the deliberate nature of the crime. Manzo’s motivation was to inflict harm on Cantin, leaving him with a permanent facial scar as a form of revenge. By supplying this information, Manzo ensured that Perna had everything he needed to locate Cantin, making the attack not only possible but targeted and precise.
On July 18, 2015, Perna and an accomplice used the information provided by Manzo to follow Cantin to a strip mall in Passaic County, New Jersey. It was here, in the parking lot, that Perna carried out the assault, using a dangerous weapon—described in court documents as a slapstick, a leather-clad baton capable of inflicting serious injury. Manzo premeditated and facilitated this attack, demonstrating the calculated nature of the crime. Furthermore, the attack went beyond a random act of violence because he carefully planned it using the personal details he had provided.
The Investigation
The arrests of Thomas Manzo and John Perna came after years of investigation into their involvement in the 2015 assault on Dave Cantin. The investigation gained momentum after law enforcement officials uncovered the organized crime connection behind the assault. The case, which involved both personal vendettas and mafia ties, drew significant attention due to Manzo’s prominence as a business owner and his connections to the Real Housewives of New Jersey franchise.
Law enforcement linked Perna to the Lucchese crime family, which operates in New Jersey, New York, and beyond, and the evidence suggested that Perna had used his connections within the crime family to carry out the assault. The assault left Cantin with significant injuries, and the discovery of Manzo’s involvement through the quid pro quo agreement with Perna cemented their roles in the crime. The arrests were the culmination of years of investigation by federal authorities, including the FBI, who uncovered the details of the criminal agreement and brought charges against both men.
The Arrest
The authorities arrested both men in June 2020, following a federal grand jury indictment. Authorities charged Manzo, who co-owned The Brownstone, a prominent New Jersey wedding venue, with aiding and abetting a violent crime in aid of racketeering, conspiracy to commit assault with a dangerous weapon, and obstruction of justice. Additionally, they charged Perna, a “made” member of the Lucchese crime family, with carrying out the assault on Cantin. The indictment revealed that Manzo had offered Perna a heavily discounted or free wedding reception at The Brownstone in exchange for orchestrating the attack.
The Charges Against Him
The charges were primarily based on his connection to the Lucchese crime family, specifically his alleged role in orchestrating the assault as part of a quid pro quo agreement.
Authorities charged Manzo with aiding and abetting a violent crime in aid of racketeering, conspiracy to commit assault with a dangerous weapon, and falsifying and concealing records to obstruct a federal investigation. These charges fell under the Violent Crimes in Aid of Racketeering (VICAR) statute, a law designed to prosecute individuals who commit crimes like assault or murder in connection with organized crime.
The Jury Finally Found Him Guilty
After years of legal maneuvering, including an initial indictment in 2020 and a second indictment in 2024 following delays and claims of a Speedy Trial Act violation, Manzo was brought to trial. The jury found him guilty on all counts, including aiding and abetting the assault and conspiracy to commit assault. During the trial, the prosecution presented compelling evidence linking Manzo to the Lucchese crime family and detailing his role in planning the attack.
Sentence To Federal Prison
In June 2024, Manzo was sentenced to seven years in federal prison for his crimes. In addition to the prison term, he was also sentenced to three years of supervised release following his incarceration. The sentencing brought a dramatic conclusion to a case that had captured media attention due to its ties to organized crime, reality television, and personal vendettas. For Manzo, the sentencing marked the final chapter in his long and complicated legal battle, while for his victims, it represented a measure of justice after years of enduring fear and physical harm.
John Perna Was Also Charged
Authorities charged Perna with multiple crimes related to the attack, including violent crime in aid of racketeering and conspiracy to commit assault with a dangerous weapon. In addition to the assault charges, Perna also faced accusations of conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud, which compounded the severity of his legal troubles. These charges fell under the VICAR (Violent Crimes in Aid of Racketeering) statute, a federal law that targets individuals who commit violent crimes to further the interests of a criminal organization.
He Pleaded Guilty
In December 2020, Perna pleaded guilty to the charge of violent crime in aid of racketeering, admitting to his role in the attack on Cantin. As part of his plea deal, he acknowledged that he carried out the attack to enhance his standing within the Lucchese crime family, thereby fulfilling the conditions of his arrangement with Manzo. Perna’s guilty plea allowed him to avoid a prolonged trial, though the legal consequences were still significant.
He Was Also Sent To Federal Prison
In 2021, Perna was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in federal prison for his role in the attack. While his sentence was shorter than Manzo’s, it reflected his direct involvement in the assault and his association with organized crime. Perna’s early release from prison in August 2023 followed the completion of his sentence, but the case left a lasting mark on his life and reputation, solidifying his ties to the Lucchese crime family and his role in a highly publicized criminal conspiracy.
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FAQs On Thomas Manzo
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Hey there! My name is Olivia Ramirez, I graduated from Sam Houston State University with a bachelor’s of science in Psychology. I can’t help but scour the web for crime news and interesting stories. I write mostly true crime, anything from white collar crimes to the tragic murders across America. I try to mix in local news updates with big hitting scandals.
When I’m not typing away or searching for crime news, you’ll find me in bookstores looking for the new books to add to my backlog. Hanging out with my family or just relaxing with some cozy games to unwind from the day.
