In a surprising turn of events, Tommy Manzo, the ex-husband of “Real Housewives of New Jersey” star Dina Manzo, is once again facing federal racketeering charges. Just a month after a judge dismissed the previous case against him due to a delay in bringing it to trial, Manzo finds himself entangled in a new legal battle. The three-count indictment, filed last week in Newark federal court, mirrors the previous charges, alleging that Manzo hired a member of the Lucchese crime family to assault Dina Manzo’s then-boyfriend in 2015.
Manzo is set to be arraigned on Tuesday afternoon, facing charges of violent crime in aid of racketeering activity, conspiracy to commit an assault with a dangerous weapon, and falsifying and concealing records related to a federal investigation. His attorney, Zach Intrater, has declined to comment on the matter.
This latest indictment adds another chapter to a long-running saga that began when Manzo was initially indicted in 2020. The allegations claim that he struck a deal with mob capo John Perna to attack David Cantin, Dina Manzo’s new partner at the time. As part of the alleged agreement, Manzo offered a heavily discounted wedding at his catering hall, The Brownstone in Paterson, New Jersey.
Prosecutors assert that Manzo’s motive for the attack stemmed from his anger over his former wife’s new relationship. Unable to take direct action himself, he allegedly leveraged his catering hall to seek physical revenge. In July 2015, Perna and an accomplice confronted Cantin in a North Jersey strip mall parking lot, brutally assaulting him with a slapjack. The attack left Cantin battered and scarred.
Perna, the son of former mob capo Ralph Perna, pleaded guilty to committing a violent crime in aid of racketeering activity and served nearly three years in prison. He was released in August of last year. Meanwhile, Manzo remained free on bail as the case against him progressed at a slow pace.
Last month, federal Judge Susan Wigenton dismissed the charges against Manzo, citing a violation of his rights under the Speedy Trial Act. However, the dismissal was without prejudice, allowing prosecutors to swiftly re-indict him. Manzo, who resides in the affluent New Jersey suburb of Franklin Lakes, now faces the serious charges outlined in the new indictment.
In addition to the federal charges, Manzo also faces pending state charges in Monmouth County. These charges allege that he and another individual broke into Dave and Dina’s home in Holmdel, New Jersey, in May 2017, assaulting them with bats and robbing them. The next hearing for this case is scheduled for April 29, according to state prosecutors.
Tommy Manzo and Dina Manzo were married in a lavish ceremony in 2005, which was featured on the VH1 reality series “My Big Fabulous Wedding.” However, their relationship ended in 2012 due to allegations of infidelity, as revealed by “Real Housewives of New Jersey” star Kim DePaola in 2020. The couple finalized their divorce in 2016.
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“Surprises are the things you didn’t see coming that change everything.” – Unknown
This quote resonates with the post because it highlights the unexpected nature of Tommy Manzo’s situation. It emphasizes that life can take unexpected turns, and sometimes these surprises can have significant consequences. In this case, Tommy Manzo’s return to facing federal racketeering charges is a surprising twist that could potentially alter the course of his life and relationships. It serves as a reminder that we should always be prepared for