When “Real Housewives of New Jersey” debuted in 2009, Caroline Manzo let it be known to the cast that neither she nor anyone else bearing her surname was going to be pushed around. “Let me tell you something about my family,” she said at the beginning of the series. “We are thick as thieves, and we protect each other to the end.” By 2017, after both Caroline and Dina had exited “RHONJ,” it seemed her declaration had rung hollow. Dina once commented that the two hadn’t spoken to each other in years, perfect conditions to accelerate a feud after Dina’s ex Tommy Manzo was arrested on assault and robbery charges.
Read Related Also: IRS whistleblower: DOJ 'slow-walked the investigation', gave 'preferential treatment' to Hunter Biden
It percolated in 2021, during Tommy Manzo’s court hearing surrounding the 2017 home invasion of Dina and David Cantin. Manzo’s lawyer, Michael Critchley, produced several letters of support to get his client out of jail, including one written by Caroline, which called him “kind-hearted and caring” (per NJ). In response, Dina’s assistant Luke McKibben posted to Instagram a meme of Thomas and Caroline together, captioned with “Thick as Thieves,” which prompted several “RHONJ” cast members to lambaste Caroline for not supporting her sister. Breaking her silence, Dina commented on the Instagram post (per People), “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.'” Despite their absence from “RHONJ,” it’s likely the feud will keep the Manzo legacy, criminal allegations notwithstanding, going for a while longer.
