“Real Housewives of New Jersey” star Dina Manzo was living her best life days before her ex-husband was charged for allegedly hiring a hitman to assault her new husband.
Earlier this week, Dina posted a tribute to her husband, David Cantin, on her Instagram. She wrote, “He puts his arms around me and I am home… ❤️ 6•28 ❤️ Happy Anniversary my love, forever is a looong time but I look forward to every minute of it with you ?”
The post came one day before Dina’s ex-husband, Thomas Manzo, was hit with an explosive criminal indictment.
As The Blast previously reported, Prosecutors accuse Thomas of hiring a mobster to attack Dina’s new man in 2015.
According to court documents obtained by The Blast, Thomas allegedly hired John Perna, who is a member of the Lucchese Crime Family. He wanted John to track down and assault Dina’s then-boyfriend, David Cantin. In exchange for the job being done, he promised to give John a discounted wedding reception at a venue he owns.
Thomas gave the mobster David’s addresses and vehicle information to find track him down. John followed through with the job and found David at a strip mall. The mobster went up to David and attacked him with a slapjack. The assault left David with a permanent facial scar.
Dina’s ex-husband held up his end of the bargain and provided the discounted rate for a “lavish wedding reception” for John. Thomas and John are charged with committing a violent crime in aid of racketeering activity and conspiracy to commit a violent crime in aid of racketeering activity.
Thomas’ attorney spoke to reporters denying the claims in the indictment, “The allegations more resemble a fictional plot of a reality TV show and will be proven to be absolutely and totally false as it relates to Thomas Manzo.”
