Shocking Twist in Real Housewives Drama

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — The ex-husband of “Real Housewives of New Jersey” cast member Dina Manzo was sentenced Tuesday to seven years in prison for hiring a reputed mobster to assault her boyfriend in exchange for hosting a high-end wedding reception for the defendant and his fiancée.

The sentencing of Thomas Manzo, 56, comes after he and John Perna, 44, were found guilty this summer on multiple counts of federal racketeering, including conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, stemming from the May 2015 beating in Holmdel, N.J.

The assault occurred two years after Thomas Manzo and Dina Manzo finalized their divorce in 2013, following 11 years of marriage. During their marriage, Thomas Manzo allegedly became increasingly controlling and violent towards his wife, with Dina Manzo revealing in court testimony that she had been subjected to emotional and psychological abuse.

After the divorce, Thomas Manzo grew resentful towards his ex-wife's new boyfriend and allegedly enlisted the help of Perna in a violent scheme to assault him. According to testimony, Thomas Manzo and Perna offered the Lucchese crime family soldier $7,000 to commit the assault in exchange for the favor of hosting a lavish wedding reception at the Brownstone, a restaurant and event space in Patterson, N.J., owned by Thomas Manzo's family.

The Brownstone provided services at inflated prices to unsuspecting individuals and businesses, generating substantial revenue that supported the Lucchese crime family operations.

On May 13, 2015, Dina Manzo's boyfriend was attacked at his Holmdel, N.J. home by Perna, who was armed with a Slapjack. Perna managed to break into the victim's home through an open window and gained entry into the living area. He approached the victim and repeatedly hit him using the Slapjack, before he escaped.

The incident was reported to the police, who investigated and gathered evidence against Thomas Manzo and Perna.

During their trial, Assistant U.S. Attorney, Lee M. Cortes, read an incriminating testimony, stating that Thomas Manzo and Perna both violently conspired to beat Manzo's ex-wife's boyfriend before hosting Thomas Manzo's wedding to his new wife, who was present at their guilty verdict this past summer. As for Perna, he was also convicted in a related wire and mail-fraud scheme, along with committing a violent crime in the aid of racketeering and conspiracy to commit racketeering activity.

In the end, it was stated that Thomas Manzo violated his ex-wife and her lover’s fundamental rights to feel safe as he abused and exploited the resources of organized crime for personal matters. The resulting conviction is considered a significant win in cracking organized crimes for authorities and an emotional win for victims who bravely came forward.