Prominent Republican Donor Convicted In Sex Trafficking Trial

[Valin]

HuffPo/AP

Anton “Tony” Lazzaro, who gave more than $270,000 to GOP campaigns, was found guilty of enticing teenage girls with gifts and money in exchange for sex.
AP
Apr 1, 2023

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A formerly well-connected GOP donor was convicted Friday of enticing teenage girls with gifts, cash and money in exchange for sex.

A federal jury found Anton “Tony” Lazzaro, 32, guilty of seven counts involving “commercial sex acts” with five girls ages 15 and 16 in 2020, when he was 30 years old. The charges carry mandatory minimum sentences of 10 years with a maximum of life in prison.

The jury will return to court Monday to determine what property the government can seize based on each conviction, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported.

(Snip)

His indictment led to the downfall of Jennifer Carnahan as chair of the Republican Party of Minnesota.

His co-defendant, 21-year-old Gisela Castro Medina, who formerly led the College Republicans chapter at the University of St. Thomas, pleaded guilty to two counts last year. She testified against Lazzaro.

(Snip)