The Real Housewives of New Jersey alum Dina Manzo’s ex-husband, Tommy Manzo, has been a court regular. This is due to his alleged habit of commissioning violent crimes. Specifically, against Dina and her current husband, David Cantin. However, Tommy just got a small break he requested – for one of his pile of indictments to be tossed.
A judge just threw out Tommy’s federal three-count indictment, which stemmed from his suspected 2015 hiring of mobsters to assault David.
Tommy Manzo’s three-count indictment is off the table … for now
According to NorthJersey.com, Tommy’s indictments claimed that he engaged John Perna to use his Lucchese crime family connections to organize an assault against Dina’s then-boyfriend, David. In turn, John would get a discounted wedding at the Manzo family’s venue, The Brownstone.
Federal prosecutors alleged that John and his crew attacked David outside a NJ strip mall on July 18, 2015. After the attack, Tommy accommodated John’s 330-guest wedding reception. Allegedly, other crime family members were there to celebrate.
John confessed via video conference to the assault and received a 30-month prison sentence in December 2020.
Tommy faced federal charges of violent crime in aid of racketeering, conspiracy to commit assault with a dangerous weapon, assault resulting in serious bodily injury, and falsifying records.
U.S. District Judge Susan Wigenton ruled that trial delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, case complexity, and Tommy switching lawyers violated the Speedy Trial Act, which sets deadlines for federal criminal proceedings. So, she dismissed it.
However, Judge Wigenton dismissed the indictment without prejudice, since the “charged offenses are unquestionably serious.” Dismissing without prejudice allows the possibility of future prosecution. Though, the government would have to secure a new indictment against Tommy if they choose to proceed.
There’s still another crime Tommy has to answer for
Tommy is also accused of having involvement in the violent 2017 home invasion, burglary, and attack of both Dina and David. This separate case was on ice until the “whooping for a wedding” case got resolved. So, it looks like Tommy will be back in court sooner than later.
As other shady RHONJ character and Danielle Staub associate, Danny Provenzano, once declared, “A punk’s a punk and da Manzos are punks.” So, if Tommy is guilty of the alleged crimes, here’s hoping he gets sentenced to the misery he deserves. Grandma Wrinkles probably never liked him, anyhow.
Old episodes of The Real Housewives of New Jersey are available to stream on Peacock.
TELL US – DO YOU AGREE WITH THE JUDGE’S DECISION TO THROW OUT TOMMY’S THREE-COUNT INDICTMENT? DO YOU THINK TOMMY’S RESPONSIBLE FOR BOTH ATTACKS?
