RHONJ’s Dina Manzo’s Ex-Husband Thomas Gets 7 Years in Prison for Hiring a Mobster in Assault Case

Thomas Manzothe ex-husband of The Real Housewives of New Jersey‘S Dina Manzohas been sentenced to seven years behind bars.

In a press release issued by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey on Tuesday, October 15: American Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced that Thomas, 59, was sentenced to 84 months in prison for “hiring and then assisting a Lucchese Crime Family soldier to attack Dina’s current husband,” David Cantinin 2015.

The document noted that Thomas was also sentenced to three years of supervised release and “immediately remanded him in custody.”

Thomas, who lived in Franklin Lakes, was convicted by a jury on June 4 after a two-and-a-half-week trial in Newark federal court. He was found guilty 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 related to a federal investigation .

RHONJ’s Dina Manzo’s Ex-Husband Thomas Convicted of Hiring ‘Reputed Mobster’ to Attack Her Boyfriend

Sellinger was quoted in the document telling Thomas during the trial, “Whether you are actually in the Mafia or not, hiring the Mafia to attack someone because of your marital problems is abhorrent. Covering up 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.”

The Associated press reported in June that Thomas hired someone to attack Dina’s then-boyfriend, Cantin, 44, on July 18, 2015, in exchange for a “free, lavish wedding reception.”

The outlet also reported that federal prosecutors described Johannes Pernathe Lucchese Crime Family soldier, as a “gangster,” claiming that Perna’s wedding reception was held in August 2015 at The Brown Stone catering hall in Paterson, New Jersey – a venue owned by Thomas.

In December 2020, Perna pleaded guilty to “committing a violent crime in furtherance of racketeering activities.” Perna received a prison sentence of two and a half years and was released in August 2023.

Teresa Giudice texted Dina Manzo after ex-husband Thomas’ conviction: ‘Justice has been served’

ABC News reported at the time that court records showed Thomas was “angry” about his ex-wife’s new relationship and wanted the attack to “leave a permanent facial scar.”

A day after Thomas was found guilty, Dina, 52, shared a photo on social media of herself raising her hands to the sky as the sun shone on a large monument. When one of her followers commented on the image: “Light always wins!!!!! ✨✨✨✨✨,” Dina replied, “ALWAYS ✨.”

When news of Thomas’ conviction was made public on Tuesday, Dina shared a telling passage via Instagram Stories. “Because at the end of the day, the right people are fighting for you. The right people show up,” the passage read. “The right people take care of you not only when life turns out great, but also when it’s hard and messy and it hurts all over.”