NJ Real Housewives Star's Ex-Husband Hired Mobster For Hit: Feds

FRANKLIN LAKES, NJ — The ex-husband of a "Real Housewives of New Jersey" star is facing charges of hiring a mobster to plan and carry out an assault, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Thomas Manzo, 55, of Franklin Lakes, is the ex-husband of Dina Cantin, who appeared on the Bravo series, in addition to having her own show, "Dina's Party."

Manzo is charged along with John Perna, 43, of Cedar Grove, a soldier in the Lucchese Crime Family, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. Both are charged with committing a violent crime in aid of racketeering activity and conspiracy.

The Attorney's Office alleges that Manzo hired Perna to assault Cantin's then-boyfriend in exchange for a "deeply discounted" wedding reception for Perna to be held at Brownstone Restaurant in Paterson, which is owned by Manzo.

According to the Attorney's Office, Perna, a "made man" in the Lucchese Crime Family, planned and carried out the assault in July 2015. A wedding reception was held by Perna at Brownstone Restaurant in August 2015.

Manzo failed to turn over documents in response to federal grand jury subpoenas and submitted a false document regarding the August 2015 wedding reception to the government, according to the Attorney's Office.

In addition, Manzo faces an additional charge of falsifying and concealing records related to the federal investigation of violent crime.

Perna faces an additional charge of conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud related to the submission of a false car insurance claim.

The Attorney's Office alleges that Perna falsely reported his car was stolen and destroyed. They say an insurance claim for the destruction of the car was fraudulent, as it's alleged Perna and other members of the Lucchese Crime Family staged the theft and arson.

The violent crime in aid of racketeering activity count against both defendants carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison, and the conspiracy count against both defendants carries a maximum potential penalty of three years in prison.

Both Perna's charge of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and Manzo's falsifying and concealing records charge carry a maximum potential penalty of 20 years of in prison.

Manzo and Perna are scheduled to have their initial appearance at 2:15 p.m. by videoconference before U.S. Magistrate Judge Cathy L. Waldor.