Lucchese Crime Family Soldier John Perna, 43, of Cedar Grove, Admits Guilt in Assault Case

by Carolyne Volpe Curley / Carolyne@WestEssexNOW.com
Published 1:23pm

John Perna, 43, of Cedar Grove

New Jersey's US Attorney Cragi Carpenito announced this afternoon that John Perna, 43, of Cedar Grove, pled guilty today to planning and carrying out an aggravated assault as a "made man" Soldier in the Lucchese Crime Family. 

The first count of the June, 2020, indictment which Perna pled guilty to charged him with committing a violent crime in aid of racketeering activity.

Also charged in the indictment was Thomas Manzo, 55, of Franklin Lakes whose case is still being heard in court. 

Manzo is the ex-husband of Dina Cantin who is known for appearing on The Real Housewives of New Jersey. They separated in 2012, and their divorce was finalized in 2016. 

The assault was made against Cantin's current husband who at the time of his assault was her new boyfriend.

The guilty plea came over videoconference in front of U.S. District Judge Kevin McNulty.

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CASE TIMELINE

According to Court statements and filed documents: 

​SPRING 2015:

• Manzo reportedly hired Perna to assault his estranged wife’s then-boyfriend in exchange for a deeply discounted wedding reception for Perna held at the Brownstone Restaurant in Paterson where Manzo is co-owner
• The assault was reportedly meant to "leave a permanent facial scar"
• Manzo reportedly gave Perna:
  • the Victim's residence address
  • business addresses
  • vehicle information

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JUNE, 2015:

• Perna pled guilty to separate racketeering charge
• Guilty plea stemmed from a 2010 indictment involving 34 defendants who were managing a $2.2 billion gambling ring as members of the Lucchese Crime Family organization

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JULY, 2015:

• Perna worked together with his Lucchese crew to plan and carry out the assault​

July 18, 2015:

• The Victim was driving his vehicle and was followed to a Passaic County strip mall.
  ​
  
• Perna using a "Slap Jack" weapon, working along with Another Lucchese Member, attacked the Victim in the parking lot

Slap Jack type of weapon IMAGE: Online

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AUGUST 16, 2015:

• Perna held a reportedly lavish wedding reception at Brownstone
• Reception was allegedly paid for by a Lucchese associate and close friend of Manzo, at "a fraction of the price."
• 330 people attended the affair, including Lucchese Crime Family members

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IMAGE: Brownstone Restaurant

FALL, 2015:

• Manzo reportedly failed to turn over relevant Perna Reception documents in response to a Grand Jury Brownstone subpoena
  ​
  
• FBI stated Manzo instead deliberately submitted a false document and a false certification

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JANUARY 2016:

• Perna reportedly worked with Lucchese members to stage a theft and arson of his 2006 Mercedes Benz.

Jan. 2, 2016:

• Directed by Perna, Another Person reportedly drove the Mercedes to Newark and set it on fire

Jan. 3, 2016:

• Perna allegedly falsely reported to Clifton Police that his car was stolen and destroyed
  
  

Jan. 4, 2016:

• Perna is accused of filing an insurance claim for the stolen and destroyed car, which was accepted
  
  

Jan. 2016:

• Perna was scheduled to begin serving a 10-year state prison sentence for the 2015 racketeering guilty plea.

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FEBRUARY 17 2016:

• Perna received $17,816 for the insurance claim to pay off the outstanding loan

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NOVEMBER, 2019:

• The FBI executed a search warrant at the Brownstone Restaurant and seized invoices for the August 2015 Perna wedding reception and other relevant documents that were not previously turned over.

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JUNE 30, 2020: 

• FBI arrested Perna and Manzo
  
• Perna and Manzo were each charged with:
  
  • Committing a violent crime in aid of racketeering activity
    
  • Conspiracy to commit a violent crime in aid of racketeering activity which carries a maximum 3 years in prison and $250,000 fine
    
• Perna also charged with:
  
  • Conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud related to the submission of a false car insurance claim which carries a maximum 20 years in prison and $250,000 fine
    
• Manzo also charged with:
  
  • Falsifying and concealing records related to the federal investigation of the violent crime which carries a maximum 20 years in prison and $250,000 fine

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POTENTIAL PENALTIES

Perna's sentencing is scheduled for April 28, 2021.

Violent Crime In Aid of Racketeering Activity

• ​Maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison
• Maximum $250,000 fine​

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INVESTIGATORS

The investigation leading to today's guilty plea by Perna was led by:

• FBI Special Agent in Charge George M. Crouch Jr.
  
• Crouch's team of FBI special agents

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