MINNEAPOLIS >> Anton “Tony” Lazzaro, a once influential GOP donor found guilty of engaging in commercial sex acts with underage girls, has been sentenced to 21 years in prison on sex trafficking charges. Lazzaro, at the age of 30 in 2020, committed these heinous acts with five girls aged 15 and 16, resulting in his conviction on seven counts. The minimum sentence for these charges is 10 years, with a maximum of life imprisonment.
The prosecution had sought a 30-year sentence, drawing comparisons between Lazzaro and financier Jeffrey Epstein, who was also involved in sexual exploitation of underage girls. In contrast, the defense requested a maximum sentence of 10 years. Prosecutor Laura Provinzino described Lazzaro as an unrepentant sex trafficker who showed no remorse for his crimes during the trial.
U.S. District Judge Patrick Schiltz criticized Lazzaro, noting that he displayed sympathy only towards himself and Epstein. The judge further characterized Lazzaro’s exploitation of the girls as soulless and mechanical, similar to an assembly line for sex trafficking.
During the court proceedings, one of the victims referred to Lazzaro as a child predator, expressing the ongoing impact of his actions on her life. Another victim’s mother directly addressed Lazzaro, emphasizing the emotional and mental damage inflicted on her daughter and their entire family.
It is important to note that the identities of the victims of sex crimes are usually not disclosed to the public.
Throughout the trial, Lazzaro consistently maintained his innocence and claimed that the charges against him were politically motivated. He denied explicitly paying any of the girls for sex. In his defense, Lazzaro argued against the government’s notion that his actions constituted grooming behavior, equating gift-giving with sexual exploitation.
Following the sentencing, defense attorney Daniel Gerdts expressed the intention to file an appeal.
Lazzaro’s indictment in 2021 led to a political scandal that resulted in Jennifer Carnahan stepping down as chair of the Republican Party of Minnesota. His co-defendant, Gisela Castro Medina, who was 19 at the time, pleaded guilty to two counts and testified against Lazzaro. Medina awaits sentencing in September.
Prosecutors alleged that Lazzaro recruited Castro Medina, initially paying her for sex and then employing her to recruit other teenagers, preferably minors, who fit specific criteria. He would arrange for the girls to be transported to his luxury penthouse condo at the Hotel Ivy in Minneapolis. Defense attorney Gerdts contended that the government’s prosecution was sensationalized and based on unfounded allegations. Lazzaro maintained that he was targeted due to political reasons and his wealth.
Moreover, Lazzaro’s association with Jennifer Carnahan became controversial, as it was revealed that they had been friends since her failed legislative campaign in 2016. He supported her bid for party chair in 2017, attended her wedding to U.S. Rep. Jim Hagedorn in 2018, and even co-hosted a podcast with her for a brief period. Carnahan resigned following Lazzaro’s arrest, as party activists expressed outrage over the allegations. Furthermore, allegations arose regarding Carnahan’s creation of a toxic work environment and misuse of nondisclosure agreements.
Lazzaro had connections with prominent Republicans, as evidenced by pictures on his social media showcasing meetings with former President Donald Trump and former Vice President Mike Pence. Over the years, he donated over $270,000 to Republican campaigns and political committees. Some of the recipients donated these contributions to charity once the charges became public.
The details of Lazzaro’s wealth remain unclear. According to defense filings, he was an emerging real estate owner and entrepreneur. Authorities seized a 2010 Ferrari and over $371,000 in cash from him. The government estimated his net worth to be over $2 million, excluding his extensive but challenging-to-trace cryptocurrency holdings. Additionally, the search yielded various foreign currencies and precious metals worth more than $500,000.
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