Court Documents Reveal ‘RHONJ’ Alum Dina Manzo’s Ex-Husband Stalked Her Before Alleged Home Invasion Beating
Dina Manzo may have divorced her ex Tommy five years ago – but his recent arrest in connection with her home invasion proves he had a difficult time letting her go. The former RHONJ star remarried and Tommy is accused of stalking Dina and her husband leading up to several orchestrated attacks.
Dina Manzo’s ex-husband Tommy allegedly stalked her and new husband
Dina and Tommy married in 2005. They separated in 2013 and officially divorced in 2016. A year prior to the divorce being finalized, Dina began dating her now-husband, David Cantin.
According to NewJersy.com, investigators found evidence of Tommy stalking Dina and Cantin leading up to not only the home invasion, but a separate attack on Cantin.
Tommy is the co-owner of The Brownstone, an upscale catering hall in Paterson. The Brownstone has been featured on the show several times. Per the New Jersey report, a search of Manzo’s office at The Brownstone revealed more than 300 pages of inquiries or “lookups” on Google, Lexis Nexis and “Been Verified.”
Related: RHONJ Where Are They Now? An Update On Former Cast Members
The searches were all allegedly centered on Dina and Cantin. One of the searches even revealed the Little League schedule for Cantin’s 8-year-old son.
But Tommy claims his divorce from Dina was amicable. He denies the searches are an indication of stalking and says he did so as a way to defend himself against a lawsuit he believed Cantin was planning to file against him.
But Dina and Cantin apparently felt they were being stalked. According to their attorney, “The victims have changed their entire lives based on their constant fear of the defendant.”
Tommy Manzo arrested for home invasion and beating of Dina Manzo and David Cantin
Tommy allegedly chose violence when Dina moved on. According to former RHONJ star Kim DePaola, Tommy had a hard time letting Dina go.
“I think it was a man thing,” she told The New York Post. “They want what they can’t have. He didn’t want Dina when she was starving for attention and was dying for his love but when she leaves him and goes off with a new, younger guy? His ego couldn’t take it. He got too wrapped up, that’s my take. Tommy didn’t want her until she was gone. It’s his loss. She came out ahead.”
Related: ‘RHONJ’: Caroline Manzo Says Show ‘Probably Didn’t Help’ Mending Relationship With Sister Dina
Multiple reports reveal that Tommy was recently indicted as an accomplice in a 2017 home invasion of Dina and Cantin. The couple were tied up, beaten, and robbed at their Jersey Shore home. Tommy is also accused of being involved in an assault against Cantin in 2015 in the parking lot of a strip mall.
Another accomplice in the home invasion claims his payment for his participation was a generous discount on their wedding at The Brownstone. During the home invasion, Cantin suffered extreme bodily injury and has a permanent scar on his face. Dina was also seriously injured during the attack.
Tommy’s family, which includes his sister-in-law Caroline Manzo, the sister of Dina, are standing by him. The New Jersey reports notes that Caroline submitted a letter of support, calling Tommy, “kind-hearted and caring.”
