Tommy Manzo
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Tommy Manzo Sentenced to 18 Months for Stalking Dina Cantin

Dina’s ex-husband Tommy Manzo faces 18 months for the stalking allegation he pleaded guilty to after becoming embroiled with the Real Housewives of New Jersey star in a lengthy saga which was chronicled in the pages of The Sun. The reason this case is pertinent has to do with domestic violence is and the challenges that accompany relationships in the TV reality world. In this blog, we’ll look at Manzo’s background, what has been alleged against him, and the legal proceedings that led to his sentencing. We will take a look also at the ramifications of this famous case for domestic abuse victims.

Background on Tommy Manzo

Tom Manzo, born in New York in 1965, co-owns The Brownstone catering venue and gained notoriety because of his wife Dina Cantin, a cast member of The Real Housewives of New Jersey. After their lavish wedding in 2007, the two were divorced in 2016 following a contentious divorce. After their separation, Manzo found himself embroiled in criminal activities hiring a mobster to beat Stickman’s new girlfriend, as well as stalking charges turning him from reality TV star to convicted criminal.

The Relationship Between Tommy Manzo and Dina Cantin

Their marriage, which began with a huge wedding in 2007, did not get an easy breeze, particularly since their appearances on The Real Housewives of New Jersey. When Dina left the show, their relationship fizzled until finally ending with separation in 2012 then divorce in 2016. Public scrutiny intensified on the couple’s reality TV exposure, many fans who had watched the couple go through the emotional turmoil had seen their struggles including infidelity allegations. Their public image continued to become increasingly vacant when Tommy’s crime emerged following the split, taking over their glamorous, yet shady image.

Timeline of Stalking Allegations

Tommy Manzo stalked his ex-wife Dina Cantin and her then boyfriend (now husband) Dave Cantin, from 2015 to 2019. Notable was a violent home invasion in May 2017 in which both victims were assaulted and robbed and James Mainello was arrested for a conspiracy with Manzo as well. During this period Dina Cantin has been subject to great fear and distress, about which legal proceedings were taken against Manzo. Acknowledging the very long stalking, his October 2024 guilty plea also indicated how seriously it damaged Dina and her family.

Details of the Stalking Charges

Tommy Manzo was facing two counts of stalking for allegedly harassing his ex wife, Dina Cantin and her new husband David Cantin from 2015 to 2019. Stalking in New Jersey requires that behavior causes fear or emotional distress to the victim. There was testimony from police evidence about how Manzo has repeatedly made unwanted contact with her, told her she should be raped, and about a violent home invasion in 2017 in which details of his violent character emerged. It’s this strong evidence that led him to plead guilty and later get sentenced.

The Home Invasion Incident

Two masked assailants attacked Dina Cantin and her then fiancé, Dave Cantin, in a home invasion at the Holmdel townhouse May 13, 2017. Dina was beaten with a baseball bat. Dave struck her with a bat and pushed her against a wall covering her, and then throwing her to the floor for forcible removal of her engagement ring. Investigators said the attack was tied to Tommy Manzo, whose alleged role in orchestrating the attack was later revealed. The emotional and physical damage was clear, one of the victims was hospitalized and the other required hospitalization for their injuries.

Legal Proceedings Leading to Sentencing

Those proceedings began with Tommy Manzo’s May 2021 arrest on stalking allegations and a violent home invasion case involving his ex-wife, Dina Cantin, and her fiance Dave Cantin. The charges were challenged by Manzo’s defense attorney, and Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago led the case. Manzo’s co-conspirator James Mainello pleaded guilty to conspiracy connected to the home invasion. In January 2025, following his guilty pleas in October to two counts of stalking, Manzo was sentenced.

Sentencing Outcome

Judge Joseph W. Oxley sentenced Tommy Manzo to 18 months in state prison in each of the two stalking counts, the sentences to run concurrently, on Jan. 8, 2025. He continues to face a seven year federal sentence for the orchestration of a violent attack in 2015 and will serve this term concurrently. His total time in custody because it is concurrent makes clear how seriously his actions were taken.

Public Reaction to Sentencing

Tommy Manzo’s legal troubles began with his May 2021 arrest due to an investigation into stalking allegations and a violent home invasion involving his ex-wife, Dina Cantin, and her fiancé, Dave Cantin. Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago led the case, while Manzo’s defense attorney contested the charges. Co-conspirator James Mainello pleaded guilty to conspiracy related to the home invasion, implicating Manzo. In October 2024, Manzo pleaded guilty to two counts of stalking, resulting in his sentencing in January 2025.

The Role of Reality Television in the Case

Tommy Manzo’s legal proceedings began with his May 2021 arrest connected to stalking allegations and a violent home invasion involving his ex-wife, Dina Cantin, and her fiancé, Dave Cantin. Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago oversaw the case, while Manzo’s defense attorney contested the charges. Co-conspirator James Mainello pleaded guilty to conspiracy regarding the home invasion, further implicating Manzo. In October 2024, Manzo pleaded guilty to two counts of stalking, resulting in his sentencing in January 2025.

Tommy Manzo’s case underscores significant issues of domestic violence and stalking, highlighting the necessity for increased awareness and support for victims. It demonstrates the serious repercussions of harassment in high-profile relationships. Available resources for victims include the National Domestic Violence Hotline, local shelters, and counseling services that provide legal aid and emotional support, enabling individuals to seek help and manage their situations safely.