NEWARK, N.J.—The ex-husband of a “Real Housewives of New Jersey” cast member was convicted Tuesday on charges he hired a reputed mobster to assault the woman’s boyfriend in exchange for a free, lavish wedding reception.
A federal jury found Thomas Manzo of Franklin Lakes guilty of conspiracy, falsifying, and concealing documents, and committing a violent crime in aid of racketeering activity. The ex-husband of “Real Housewives” cast member Dina Manzo faces up to 46 years in prison when he’s sentenced on Oct. 15.
Federal prosecutors have said Thomas Manzo, 59, hired John Perna—whom they described as a soldier in the Lucchese Crime Family—to commit the July 2015 attack. Mr. Perna’s wedding reception was held the following month at a restaurant in Paterson partly owned by Mr. Manzo, prosecutors said.
Mr. Perna pleaded guilty in December 2020 to committing a violent crime in aid of racketeering activity and received a 2 1/2-year sentence. He was freed last August. Dina Manzo’s boyfriend is now her husband.
