A formerly well-connected Republican donor, dubbed by prosecutors as “Jeffrey Epstein of Minneapolis,” was sentenced Wednesday to 21 years in prison on sex trafficking charges.
Anton “Tony” Lazzaro, 31, was found guilty of exploiting “broken” young girls, dousing them with Everclear liquor and paying them tens of thousands of dollars after he had sex with them.
Lazzaro – who once tweeted a video of Joe Biden saying, “Parents must keep their children away from Creepy Joe” – was found guilty by a federal jury in March of “commercial sexual activity” with five girls, ages 15 and 16 found guilty of seven counts in 2020, when Lazzaro was 30.
One of the victims’ mothers addressed Lazzaro right before his sentencing and didn’t mince his words: “The damage you have caused my daughter mentally and emotionally, you have not only caused her.”
“They put it on me and my family and all of these victims and all of their families,” she said. ‘You stand here and you don’t care.’ You justify your actions… I hope you rot in Hell.’
Anton “Tony” Lazzaro, 31, has been described by prosecutors as “Jeffrey Epstein from Minneapolis” on charges of exploiting “broken” young girls, dousing them with Everclear liquor and paying tens of thousands of dollars after having sex with had them. He was sentenced to 21 years in prison on Wednesday
The charges carried mandatory minimum sentences of 10 years with a maximum of life imprisonment.
Prosecutors had asked for a 30-year prison sentence for Lazzaro. The defense demanded a maximum of ten years.
“He’s a sex trafficker,” prosecutor Laura Provinceino said. “One who has shown absolutely no remorse.” He has taken no responsibility for his crimes.’
US District Judge Patrick Schiltz stepped into the middle and had harsh words for Lazzaro.
He said Lazzaro only showed sympathy to two people during the trial – “himself and Jeffrey Epstein.” And the judge said he was struck by the “soulless, almost mechanical nature” of Lazzaro’s exploitation of the girls.
Defense attorneys claimed the 32-year-old – who once captioned a recording of Epstein with “RIP my Brother” – tried to “fix” the high school students and even hired one as a recruiter.
“It’s almost like Mr. Lazzaro built a sex trafficking assembly line,” Schiltz said.
One of the victims — a different one from the victim whose mother also testified — called Lazzaro a child predator in court Wednesday and said she remained affected by his actions.
“I still see him in my nightmares, in my panic attacks, in guys in their 30s.” …putting Tony behind bars is going to save so many girls,” she said.
Lazzaro – here with current girlfriend Kira Costal, 21 – was found guilty by a federal jury in March of seven counts involving “commercial sexual conduct” with five girls, ages 15 and 16, in 2020 when Lazzaro was 30 years old. Costal testified in his defense
Lazzaro has reportedly donated more than $270,000 to campaigns and political committees. He is pictured with Donald Trump (left) and former Vice President Mike Pence (right).
Lazzaro, who said the charges against him were politically motivated, has maintained his innocence and denied having specifically paid any of the girls for sex.
“I find the government and court’s notion that I committed perjury in this trial to be very offensive.” “Caring behavior is the word you used,” he said.
“If that’s the case, then I assume that anyone who gives someone a gift, whether it’s a cheap gift or a million dollars, is preparing their partner for sex.” OK? “If that’s the standard we’re going to apply, then I don’t know how to apply a standard.”
Defender Daniel Gerdts then said they were looking forward to “the appeal”.
Some of the victims testified in court and described Lazzaro’s patterns of behavior that led to the charges.
One girl broke down when she told the court she had showered three times the day after her encounter with Lazzaro, adding: “My innocence has been stolen from me.”
All of the victims were described as predominantly white and slim, with many claiming to be drug and alcohol addicts.
Lazzaro admitted to having sex with his victims in 2020 — when he was 30 — but denied recruiting them, reports the Minnesota Star Tribune.
Defense attorneys claimed the 32-year-old – who once captioned a recording of Epstein with “RIP my Brother” – tried to “fix” the high school students and even hired one as a recruiter
He was found guilty of seven counts involving five girls between the ages of 15 and 16. His current girlfriend, Kira Costal, 21, testified in his defense.
In the past, he has branded himself a “next-generation Republican” who advocates “more modern views” and seeks to make the party more hospitable to LGBTQ communities and women.
Federal Elections Commission records show that he donated to the Republican Party for nearly a decade. He has reportedly donated more than $270,000 to campaigns and political committees.
And in 2020, he served as campaign manager for GOP candidate Lacy Johnson’s unsuccessful bid.
Johnson denied knowing about Lazzaro’s exploits, claiming, “I don’t know that side of Tony.” “He’s young, he’s got money and … that tends to attract women.”
Lazzaro was shortlisted on the GOP list of Minnesota “alternate” presidential voters who could replace missing delegates in 2020.
That same year, he posted a video on Twitter of Joe Biden interacting with a young girl — adding, “Parents need to keep their kids away from Creepy Joe.”
He frequently boasted about his flamboyant lifestyle on social media, posting photos of himself on planes, with champagne bottles, and sports cars
Some of the victims reported that they met Lazzaro through Medina or one of his male acquaintances on social media
A 15-year-old said she was picked up from a slumber party with two friends to meet Lazzaro
He frequently boasted about his flamboyant lifestyle on social media, posting photos of himself with airplanes, sports cars, and bottles of champagne.
A 15-year-old said she was picked up from a slumber party with two friends, while another was paid to have group sex with Lazzaro and her older sister.
He was also accused of recruiting 21-year-old Gisela Castro Medina, who eventually testified against him.
Lazzaro paid Medina more than $54,000, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported.
Prosecutors said the money was payment for her acquiring underage girls for his pleasure, but also for her silence.
Lazzaro told the court he gave Medina the sum of generosity. He plans to appeal the decision, a spokesman told the Associated Press.
Some of the victims said they met Lazzaro through Medina or one of his male acquaintances on social media.
Medina pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing in August.
The heart of the dish: He would take the girls to his flat and give them Everclear – the strongest alcohol there is.
His current girlfriend, Kira Costal, 21, testified in his defense.
Lazzaro shared video of the dramatic moment when FBI agents searched his 19th-floor Hotel Ivy condo in downtown Minneapolis in 2020
Prosecutors allege he then ran a playbook, or “burglary trial,” which involved giving the girls money and gifts while also listening to their problems. Lawyers said he considers the process “an art”.
The FBI was alerted to the case after a victim’s mother noticed worrying changes in her daughter’s behavior and suspiciously large cash deposits into their joint bank account.
According to the Star Tribune, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is already reviewing reports from another victim’s family.
In December 2020, agents searched his 19th-floor condo at the Hotel Ivy in downtown Minneapolis. He was arrested in August 2021. Lazzaro posted videos of the raid on his website.
During the trial, prosecutors were shown a picture of Jeffrey Epstein, which Lazzaro sent to a friend with the caption, “Silence my brother.”
Prosecutor Melinda Williams told jurors Lazzaro was a man “who makes it seem like he has everything.”
“He wanted sex and not just any sex,” she added.
“He wanted sex with underage girls under the age of 18. And he had a plan to get it.”
His representatives vehemently denied that he trafficked in the girls, as they repeatedly insisted he had been unfairly assaulted.
Spokesperson Stacy Bettison said in a statement on Friday that he “remains convinced that he has been specifically prosecuted for his political activities.”
Lazzaro appeared frequently as a contributor to Fox News. In the past he has described himself as a “next-generation Republican” who holds “more modern views.”
He was also accused of recruiting 21-year-old Gisela Castro Medina (pictured), who eventually testified against him
Medina pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing in August
The couple are pictured together on Lazzaro’s website
Meanwhile, his attorney, Daniel Gerdts, told jurors: “The prosecution clearly disapproves of Mr. Lazzaro’s playboy lifestyle.”
And honestly, I’m the father of three daughters too. The shame is well deserved, but that’s not why we’re here.”
Lazzaro nodded in court as Gerdts presented his case, reports the Star Tribune.
At other times, he would shift in his chair, shake his head in disgust and mutter something to himself and his attorneys.