Dina and Caroline Manzo: Everything We Know About the Family Drama Between the RHONJ Alums

Real Housewives of New Jersey alums and sisters Dina Cantin (née Manzo) and Caroline Manzo have been embroiled in a family drama that escalated while Dina's ex-husband was awaiting two separate trials for allegedly organizing attacks on her and her current husband.

Thomas Manzo, Dina's ex, was charged with hiring a hitman with mob ties to attack her husband, David Cantin, in 2015. In May 2021, he was also linked to planning a 2017 home invasion robbery on both Dina and David. (Thomas and Dina split in 2012 after seven years of marriage, and Dina married Cantin on June 28, 2017.)

Caroline is married to Thomas' brother, Albert Manzo, and expressed support for her brother-in-law — prompting Dina to speak out against Caroline and later Caroline's son, Albie.

Here's a breakdown of everything we know about the Manzo family drama and legal troubles so far.

2015 Attack on David Cantin

According to a release issued in December 2020 by New Jersey U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito, John Perna — alleged Lucchese crime family soldier — pled guilty to planning and carrying out an aggravated assault on Cantin in 2015.

Prosecutors alleged that Thomas hired Perna to assault Cantin, who was Dina's boyfriend at the time, "in exchange for a deeply discounted wedding reception to be held at Manzo's upscale Passaic County venue."

"Perna, who is a 'made man' in the Lucchese Crime Family, planned and carried out the assault on July 18, 2015, with the help of a member of his crew," the release stated. "Perna was armed with a 'slapjack' during the assault. In exchange for committing the assault, Perna held a lavish wedding reception at Manzo's restaurant, just one month later, for a fraction of the price he would otherwise have paid. The reception was attended by over 330 guests, many of whom were members of the Lucchese Crime Family."

According to the original indictment, Thomas was "upset" that Cantin "had an ongoing relationship with" his ex-wife, Dina, and "planned to have a violent assault committed on" Cantin "that would leave a permanent facial scar."

Then, "on or about July 18, 2015," Perna and an accomplice followed Cantin "to a strip mall in Passaic County, New Jersey," where the pair "attacked" Cantin in the parking lot, the indictment stated.

Perna allegedly "used a dangerous weapon, namely a slap jack [sic], with the intent to inflict serious permanent injury" on Cantin.

In a statement to PEOPLE at the time, Thomas' lawyer said, "Mr. Perna, during his plea of guilty, never mentioned that he was involved in this activity, directly or indirectly, with Mr. Manzo. To me, that is evidence of exoneration of Mr. Manzo."

2017 Attack on Dina Manzo and David Cantin

Just a month before Dina and David tied the knot in June 2017, the couple was the target of a brutal home invasion.

The May 2017 attack left the reality star and her husband badly beaten and bound in their New Jersey townhouse. Some of their personal belongings, including Dina's $60,000 engagement ring, were also stolen. In the aftermath, David and Dina — who is mom to adult daughter Lexi from a previous relationship — moved permanently to the West Coast.

The first arrest was made in the case in May 2019. Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni announced in a press release at the time that James Mainello had been taken into custody for his alleged involvement in the invasion. (It was unclear at the time if Mainello had retained legal representation to comment on his behalf.)

Following the news, David and Dina's attorney issued a statement to PEOPLE on their behalf, commending New Jersey's law enforcement officers for their work on the case.

"We are so grateful to the New Jersey law enforcement authorities, whose diligent investigation over the last two years culminated in today's arrest," they said. "Thank you to everyone who has expressed concern for our well-being. We've had such a great support system."

In May 2021, Thomas was linked to the case for the first time. According to a May 11 press release, he was indicted alongside Mainello for his role as an accomplice to first-degree robbery, second-degree burglary, second-degree aggravated assault, third-degree aggravated assault, third-degree theft, third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and third-degree criminal restraint.

Thomas was additionally charged as the sole actor in two counts of fourth-degree stalking of Dina and Cantin.

If convicted of first-degree robbery, Thomas and Mainello face up to 20 years in a New Jersey state prison and an additional five to 10 years if convicted of second-degree aggravated assault. The third-degree charges carry a custodial sentence of three to five years in prison, while the fourth-degree offenses carry a sentence of up to 18 months in state prison.

"This week is exactly four years since the alleged incident and two years since my client was first arrested," a lawyer for Mainello said in a statement shared with PEOPLE from the week of the indictment. "This is now his third indictment with nothing new alleged nor any new evidence presented. It doesn't take a legal scholar to see something is not right with the investigation."

"We have to wonder if this much effort would be put into creating a fictional case if the alleged victim was not a reality TV star," his statement continued. "To say at this point my client is patiently waiting for his day in court would be a major understatement. We are even more confident today than we were two years ago that Mr. Mainello will walk out of the courtroom vindicated once the jury hears the true story and is presented with the real facts."

A lawyer for Thomas did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment at the time.

Thomas Manzo's Arrests

In June 2020, Thomas was arrested for his alleged involvement in the 2015 attack on David and pled not guilty to paying Perna. At the time, he was ordered not to have any contact with the victims, including Dina and David, unless an attorney was present.

Following his arrest, Caroline spoke out about the situation, telling Extra the family was "heartbroken."

"This is family on both sides," she said. "I want to know the truth, and my allegiance will lie with the truth."

"We don't run from things like this; we address them," she added. "And I feel comfortable with that because we are being painted with a brush that does not reflect who we are as people."

Thomas was arrested again in 2021 — this time for his alleged role in the 2017 attack on Dina and Cantin. On May 21 that year, he was released on bail as he awaited his trial, according to reports from NJ.com.

RELATED VIDEO: RHONJ's Caroline Manzo Speaks Out After Sister Dina's Ex-Husband's Arrest — 'We Are Heartbroken'

Caroline Supports Thomas — and Dina Responds

During the May 21 hearing, Thomas' defense attorney said "dozens" of people had written letters of support for him, including Caroline, who called Thomas "kind-hearted and caring" in her letter, according to NJ.com.

Days later, Dina's friend Luke McKibben shared an Instagram post slamming Caroline's support for Thomas. It was a photo of Caroline and brother-in-law Thomas with the words "Thick as Thieves" written above them.

"For years I have sat by and watched Dina take the high road over and over," McKibben captioned the post. "Staying silent for many reasons but mainly out of respect for family. There's a million things I could have said throughout the years and spoken up to defend her. She would forbid me to say a word."

"But I can't stay silent while others continue to talk to help keep their relevance," McKibben continued. "You will reap what you sow."

Dina appeared to support McKibben's message, commenting, "Normally Lukey I would ask you to take this down but ya know what? I'm starting to think some just expect us to stay quiet while they continue to hurt others…that's what gives them that 'power.'"

"I'll say it again…it's not ok to take kindness for weakness. Plus if I don't laugh at this point I'll just continue to cry. I love you," the RHONJ alum wrote.

Dina's daughter Lexi also commented on the post, writing, "Someone had to say it."

Caroline and Dina did not respond to PEOPLE's requests for comment at the time.

Albie Manzo Gets Involved

Caroline's eldest son, Albie Manzo, teased in May 2021 that he would discuss then-upcoming family drama on upcoming episodes of his podcast, Dear Albie, prompting Dina to speak out against her nephew.

"Ohhhh shocking… going to speak about it on his podcast for the downloads," Dina commented under the post, according to screenshots of the conversation obtained by a fan. "Unfortunately this will just be a 'storyline' to profit from. What a shame."

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Albie also supported his mom on Instagram in a comment left on one of his posts.

"Oh, and real quick before anyone gets excited that someone with the last name Manzo posted something so this is your clown a-- chance to leave baseless comments like you think you 'know' something," he wrote.

"I haven't been silent, I've been busy," he added. "But I've had just about enough of this bulls--- and you'll be hearing from me soon, don't you worry. In the meantime…Momma bear, you're the strongest woman I know. I love and admire you more than you will ever understand."

Thomas Manzo Convicted

According to ABC News, on June 4, 2024, Thomas Manzo was convicted of three felonies following a trial that lasted two and a half weeks.

Thomas was convicted of one count of committing a violent crime in aid of racketeering activity, one count of conspiracy to commit a violent crime in aid of racketeering resulting in serious bodily injury, and one count of falsifying and concealing documents related to a federal investigation.

Each charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. Thomas' sentencing has been scheduled for Oct. 15, 2024.

After the conviction, Dina posted a quote in an Instagram Story about it, though without naming Thomas.

"I call my power back to me. I call my energy back to me. I call my magic back to me," read the quote. "I am cleansed and disconnected from anything that may drain me. I am shielded from any energy that does not serve me."

"I am safe. I am protected. I am whole. And so it is," the quote concluded, followed by the caption, “And it is so ✨” written across the screen.