Thomas Manzo, the ex-husband of “Real Housewives of New Jersey” star Dina Manzo, was convicted Tuesday of hiring a reputed mobster to assault her then-boyfriend and now-husband, David Cantin.
Manzo, of Franklin Lakes, enlisted John Perna, described as a soldier in the Lucchese Crime Family, to carry out the July 2015 attack, according to prosecutors.
In exchange for his sordid services, Manzo, 59, offered Perna a lavish wedding reception the following month, at a restaurant in Paterson that Manzo partially owned.
Perna pleaded guilty to committing a violent crime in aid of racketeering in December 2020 and served a 2 1/2-year sentence, being released last August.
On Tuesday, Manzo was found guilty of falsifying and concealing documents, conspiracy and committing a violent crime in aid of racketeering related to the incident, following a two-week trial in Newark.
According to court records obtained by ABC News, Manzo had been “upset” that his ex-wife was in a new relationship and aimed to “leave a permanent facial scar” on her new boyfriend’s face.
He faces up to 46 years in prison, with his sentencing scheduled for Oct. 15.
Dina is now married to David Cantin and has been with him since they began dating in 2014.
With News Wire Services
