Reputed mobster pleads guilty to attacking ex-‘RHONJ’ star Dina Manzo’s husband
A reputed mobster allegedly hired by former “Real Housewives of New Jersey” star Dina Manzo’s ex-husband to assault her then-boyfriend copped to the crime Wednesday in federal court.
Purported Lucchese soldier John Perna, 44, pleaded guilty to committing a violent crime in aid of racketeering for the ambush attack of Manzo’s now-husband Dave Cantin in 2015, court records show.
As part of the plea agreement, New Jersey federal prosecutors agreed to recommend a sentence of 28 to 30 months in prison.
Perna was allegedly hired by the reality star’s ex-husband Tommy Manzo to beat up Cantin, who she was dating at the time and has since married.
Perna and an associate followed Cantin to a strip mall in Passaic County and attacked him in the parking lot with a slap jack, the indictment says.
In exchange, Perna received a steep discount for his wedding reception at Tommy Manzo’s catering hall, The Brownstone, in Paterson a month after the assault.
Many of the 330 guests were members of the Lucchese crime family, according to prosecutors.
Manzo was also indicted on racketeering and conspiracy charges for the attack. His case is still pending.
“It’s a complete exoneration of Mr. Manzo,” said Tommy Manzo’s lawyer Michael Critchley. “When Mr. Perna entered his plea, he never once stated that Mr. Manzo was involved in the activity directly or indirectly.”
Perna’s attorney didn’t immediately return a request for comment.
Dina Manzo appeared in the show’s first two seasons.