A well-connected Republican strategist who would flaunt his wealth online has been found guilty of sex trafficking minors in Minneapolis.
Prosecutors have described Anton Lazzaro as the “Jeffrey Epstein of Minneapolis” as he is accused of assaulting ‘broken’ young girls, doping them Everclear and paying tens of thousands of dollars after having sex with them.
Defense attorneys alleged that the 32-year-old — who once wrote on a snap of Epstein “RIP bro” — was trying to “fix” high school students and even recruited one as an employee.
One girl broke down when she told the court that she showered three times a day after her encounter with Lazzaro, adding, “My innocence was stolen from me.”
All of the victims were described as mostly white and slender, and many claimed to have suffered from drug and alcohol addiction.
Republican strategist Anton Lazzaro, 32, who prosecutors described as “Jeffrey Epstein of Minneapolis,” was convicted of sex trafficking minors in Minneapolis.
Lázaro has reportedly given more than $270,000 to political campaigns and committees. He is pictured with Donald Trump, left, and former Vice President Mike Pence, right
Lázaro admitted to having sex with his victims in 2020 – when he was 30 – but denied recruiting them Minnesota Star Tribune reports.
He was found guilty on Friday of seven counts involving five girls, ages 15 and 16. He now faces between 10 years and life in prison.
His current girlfriend Kira Coastal, 21, testified in his defense.
In the past, he has described himself as the “next-generation Republican” who has “more modern views” and has sought to make the party more welcoming to LGBTQ communities and women.
Federal Election Commission records show that he donated to the Republican Party for nearly a decade. He reportedly gave more than $270,000 to political campaigns and committees.
And in 2020, he served as campaign manager for the unsuccessful bid of Republican candidate Lacey Johnson.
Johnson denied knowing of Lázaro’s exploits as he claimed: ‘I don’t know that side of Tony. He’s young, he has money, and…that tends to attract females.
Lazaro was on the Minnesota Republican Party’s shortlist of “alternate” presidential electors who could replace any lost delegates in 2020.
That same year, he shared a video on Twitter of Joe Biden interacting with a little girl — adding, “Parents should keep their kids away from Creepy Joe.”
On social media, he frequently flaunted his flashy lifestyle by posting pictures of himself on planes, with bottles of champagne and sports cars.
Some of the victims described being introduced to Lazaro through social media through Medina or a male acquaintance
A 15-year-old said she was picked up from a slumber party with two friends to meet Lazaro
On social media, he frequently flaunted his flashy lifestyle by posting pictures of himself with planes, sports cars, and bottles of champagne.
One 15-year-old said she was picked up from a slumber party with two friends while another got paid to have group sex with Lazaro and her older sister.
He was also accused of recruiting Gisela Castro Medina, 21, who eventually testified against him.
Lazaro paid Medina more than $54,000 Minneapolis Star Tribune mentioned.
Prosecutors said the money was paid for her procuring underage girls for his pleasure as well as for her silence.
Lazaro told the court that he paid Medina out of generosity. A spokesman said he planned to appeal the decision News agency.
Some of the victims said they became acquainted with Lazaro on social media through Medina or a male acquaintance of his.
Medina pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing in August.
Heart of the Court would take the girls to his apartment and give them Everclear – the strongest liquor available.
Lázaro is currently in a relationship with Kira Costal, 21, who testified in his defence
The case centered around allegations from 2020 when he was 30 years old
During the trial, prosecutors were shown a photo of Jeffrey Epstein that Lázaro had sent to a friend with the caption, “RIP bro.” Pictured with his girlfriend on Facebook
Prosecutors allege he then had a lead or “break-in” that involved giving the girls money and gifts while also listening to their problems. The lawyers said he saw the process as “art”.
The FBI was alerted to the case after the mother of one of the victims noticed disturbing behavioral changes in her daughter along with large, suspicious cash deposits in their joint bank account.
According to the Star Tribune, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension was already looking into reports from another victim’s family.
Agents raided his 19th-floor hotel apartment at the Ivy Hotel in downtown Minneapolis in December 2020. He was arrested in August 2021. Lazzaro has shared videos of the raid on his home. website.
During the trial, prosecutors were shown a photo of Jeffrey Epstein that Lázaro had sent to a friend with the caption, “RIP bro.”
Prosecutor Melinda Williams told the jury that Lázaro was a man who “seems to have everything”.
She added, “He wanted sex, not just any sex.”
“He wanted to have sex with girls under the age of 18, and he had a plan to get them.”
His representatives vehemently denied that he had trafficked the girls as they repeatedly insisted that he had been unfairly targeted.
In a statement on Friday, spokeswoman Stacey Bettison said he “continues to believe he has been selectively prosecuted for his political activities.”
Lazzaro shared video from the dramatic moment FBI agents raided his 19th floor home at the Ivy Hotel in downtown Minneapolis back in 2020
Lázaro has appeared frequently as a contributor to Fox News. In the past, he has described himself as a “next-generation Republican” with “more modern views.”
He was also accused of recruiting Gisela Castro Medina, 21, who eventually testified against him
Medina pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing in August
The couple is pictured together on Lazzaro’s website
Meanwhile, his lawyer, Daniel Gerdts, told the jury: “It is clear that the prosecution does not approve of Mr. Lazzaro’s playboy lifestyle.”
And to be honest, I am the father of three daughters.
Lázaro nodded in the courtroom as Gerdts presented his case, w Star Tribune reports.
At other times he shuffled in his chair, shook his head in disgust, and muttered to himself and his lawyer.
The date of the sentencing has not been confirmed.
