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    • Manzo gets seven years in prison for hiring a man to attack RHONJ star’s friend
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    Manzo gets seven years in prison for hiring a man to attack RHONJ star’s friend

    Vaseline Posted on

    2 minutes reading

    Joe Malinconico
    | Paterson Press

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    PATERSON – Thomas Manzo, who was convicted after an alleged mob member attacked his ex-wife’s boyfriend, was sentenced Tuesday afternoon to seven years in prison.

    Federal Judge Susan Wigenton ordered that Manzo be taken into custody immediately, despite his lawyers’ requests to preserve his freedom while they appealed the verdict.

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

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

    Story continues below photo gallery

    According to the court, the Public Prosecution Service had demanded a prison sentence of ten years. Before the charges went to trial, federal authorities had made an offer under which Manzo would be sentenced to 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 to fourth-degree stalking in Monmouth County Superior Court, which his attorneys said in court filings was an attempt by law enforcement officials to charge Manzo with 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 committing a violent crime in aid of racketeering, one charge of conspiracy to commit a violent crime in aid of racketeering, and one charge of falsifying and concealment of documents related to a federal investigation.

    “Whether you are in the Mafia or not, hiring the Mafia to attack someone because of your marital problems is abhorrent,” said United States Attorney Philip R. Sellinger. “Glossing over the role you played only makes things worse. The jury’s verdict and today’s sentence make it clear that this office will spare no resources in holding accountable anyone who commits such crimes.”

    Paid for attack with free reception at The Brownstone

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

    Perna, described by federal authorities as a “made man” with his own crew, worked with them to carry out the attack on July 18, 2015, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said. 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 hid 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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