GOP strategist described as ‘Jeffrey Epstein of Minnesota’ is convicted of teen sex trafficking

A well-connected Republican strategist who allegedly flaunts his wealth online has been convicted of underage sex trafficking in Minneapolis.

Anton Lazzaro has been described by prosecutors as ‘Jeffrey Epstein from Minneapolis’ as he was accused of preying on ‘broken’ young girls, swamping them with Everclear booze and paying tens of thousands of dollars after getting sex with them.

Defense lawyers have alleged the 32-year-old – who once captioned a photo of Epstein “RIP bro” – was trying to “fix” high school students and even enlisted one as a recruiter.

A girl broke down telling the court she took three showers a day after meeting Lazzaro, adding that ‘my innocence was stolen from me’.

All of the victims were described as mostly white and thin, with many claiming to have suffered from drug and alcohol addiction.

Lazzaro reportedly gave more than $270,000 to campaigns and political committees. He is pictured with Donald Trump, left, and former Vice President Mike Pence, right

Lazzaro admitted to having sex with his victims in 2020 — when he was 30 — but denied recruiting them, the Minnesota Star Tribune reports.

He was found guilty of seven counts involving five girls aged between 15 and 16, meaning Friday. He now faces between 10 years and life in prison.

His current girlfriend Kira Costal, 21, testified in his defense.

In the past, he had called himself a “next generation Republican” who held “more modernized views” and sought to make the party more hospitable to LGBTQ communities and women.

Federal Election Commission records show 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 GOP candidate Lacy Johnson’s unsuccessful bid.

Johnson denied knowing about Lazzaro’s exploits as he claimed: ‘I don’t know that side of Tony. He’s young, he’s got money and…it tends to attract women.

Lazzaro was shortlisted on the Minnesota GOP’s list of “alternate” presidential voters who could replace any missing delegates in 2020.

The same year, he shared a video on Twitter of Joe Biden interacting with a young girl – adding “Parents need to keep their kids away from Creepy Joe”.

On social media, he frequently bragged about his flashy lifestyle by posting photos of himself on airplanes, with champagne bottles and sports cars.

Some of the victims described being introduced to Lazzaro on social media through Medina or a man he knew.

A 15-year-old said she was picked up from a sleepover with two friends to meet Lazzaro

On social media, he frequently bragged about his flashy lifestyle by posting photos of himself with airplanes, sports cars and bottles of champagne.

A 15-year-old said she was picked up from a sleepover with two friends, while another was paid to have group sex with Lazzaro and his older sister.

He was also accused of recruiting 21-year-old Gisela Castro Medina, who ended up testifying against him.

Lazzaro paid Medina more than $54,000, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported.

Prosecutors said the money was payment for her to obtain underage girls for her pleasure as well as her silence.

Lazzaro told the court that he gave the sums to Medina out of generosity. He plans to appeal the decision, a spokesperson told The Associated Press.

Some of the victims said they were introduced to Lazzaro on social media through Medina or a male acquaintance of hers.

Medina pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing in August.

The heart of the court, he would take the girls to his apartment and give them Everclear – the strongest alcohol available.

Lazzaro is currently in a relationship with Kira Costal, 21, who testified in his defense

The case centered on allegations from 2020 when he was 30

During the trial, prosecutors showed an image of Jeffrey Epstein that Lazzaro sent to a friend with the caption “RIP bro.” He is pictured with his girlfriend on Facebook

Prosecutors allege he then had a playbook or “break-in process” that involved giving the girls money and gifts while 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 disturbing behavioral changes in her daughter as well as suspicious cash deposits in their shared bank account.

According to the Star Tribune, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension was already reviewing reports from the family of another victim.

Officers raided his 19th floor apartment at the Ivy Hotel in downtown Minneapolis in December 2020. He was arrested in August 2021. Lazzaro shared videos of the raid on his website.

During the trial, prosecutors showed an image of Jeffrey Epstein that Lazzaro sent to a friend with the caption “RIP bro.”

Prosecutor Melinda Williams told the jury that Lazzaro was a man who “seemed to have it all.”

“He wanted sex, and not just any sex,” she added.

“He wanted sex with underage girls under 18. And he had a plan to get it.”

His representatives have vehemently denied he trafficked the girls, repeatedly insisting he was being unfairly targeted.

Spokesperson Stacy Bettison said he “continues to believe he has been selectively prosecuted for his political activities” in a statement Friday.

Lazzaro shared video of the dramatic moment FBI agents raided his 19th floor Ivy Hotel condo in downtown Minneapolis in 2020

Lazzaro often appeared as a contributor on Fox News. He has in the past called himself a ‘next generation Republican’ who has ‘more modern views’

He was also accused of recruiting Gisela Castro Medina, 21, pictured, who eventually testified against him

Medina pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing in August

The pair are pictured together on the Lazzaro website

Meanwhile, his lawyer Daniel Gerdts told the jury: ‘The prosecution clearly disapproves of Mr. Lazzaro’s playboy lifestyle.

And frankly, as a father of three girls, so do I. The opprobrium is well deserved, but that is not why we are here.

Lazzaro nodded in the courtroom as Gerdts argued his case, the Star Tribune reports.

At other times, he shifted in his chair, shook his head in disgust and mumbled to himself and his lawyers.

A sentencing date has not been confirmed.