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Manzo gets 7 years in prison for hiring a man to attack the RHONJ star's boyfriend

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Manzo gets 7 years in prison for hiring a man to attack the RHONJ star's boyfriend

2 minute read

Joe Malinconico
| Paterson Press

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PATERSON – Thomas Manzo, who was found guilty in a suspected Mafia member's attack on his ex-wife's boyfriend, was sentenced Tuesday afternoon to seven years in federal prison.

Federal Judge Susan Wigenton ordered Manzo taken into custody immediately, even as his lawyers urged him to preserve his freedom while they appeal the ruling.

Manzo's ex-wife is “Real Housewives of New Jersey” star Dina Cantin, and in many ways the case played out like a combination of reality TV and “The Sopranos.”

The courtroom for Manzo's sentencing was so packed with spectators that security personnel turned people away at the door.

The story continues in the photo gallery

According to court documents, the U.S. Attorney's Office had asked for a 10-year prison sentence. Before the charges were heard, federal authorities had made a plea deal that would see Manzo face a maximum of 14 months in prison, according to a letter his lawyers filed with the court on Monday.

Just a month ago, Manzo pleaded guilty in Monmouth County Superior Court to a charge of fourth-degree stalking. His lawyers said in court filings that this was an attempt by law enforcement to accuse Manzo of witness tampering.

Manzo, 59, of Franklin Lakes, is co-owner of The Brownstone banquet hall in Paterson.

He was convicted in June after a two-and-a-half-week trial of one count of committing a violent crime in aid of racketeering, one count of conspiracy to commit a violent crime in aid of racketeering and one count of falsifying and concealing documents in connection with a federal investigation.

“Regardless of whether you are actually a member of the Mafia or not, hiring the Mafia to attack someone because of their marital problems is abhorrent,” said U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger. “Hushing up the role you played only makes it worse. The jury’s verdict and today’s sentence make it clear that this office will spare no resources to hold accountable anyone who commits such crimes.”

Paid attack with free reception at The Brownstone

Court documents and evidence at trial said Manzo hired Lucchese family soldier John Perna to attack his ex-wife's then-boyfriend in the spring of 2015 and paid for the attack with a free wedding reception at The Brownstone.

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Perna, described by federal authorities as a “made man” with his own crew, cooperated with them in carrying out the attack on July 18, 2015. The Perna wedding, held at the brownstone in August 2015, was attended by approximately 330 people, many of whom were also members of the Lucchese crime family.

Four years later, Manzo concealed and falsified documents related to the Perna wedding in response to a grand jury subpoena, authorities said.

Manzo's lawyers had argued in court filings that the judge should recuse herself from the case because she had a private meeting with federal prosecutors last month.

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