GOP mega donor found guilty of sex trafficking children
Apr 4, 2023 16:26:42 GMT -5
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Post by tnthomas on Apr 4, 2023 16:26:42 GMT -5
GOP mega donor found guilty of sex trafficking children
A former GOP mega donor has been convicted of sex trafficking underaged girls, CBS News reported.
Anton Lazzaro was initially charged with seven counts alleging “commercial sex acts” that took place in 2020 with five underaged girls ranging from ages 15 to 16. After the jury deliberated for a little over three hours on Friday, Lazzaro was found guilty on all counts.
Lazzaro admitted to allegations that he paid teenagers for sex with money and gifts, but denied “recruiting” them, according to CBS News, which added that he “put his hand to his face and shook his head when he heard the verdict read.”
During his time as a GOP operative, Lazzaro had donated around $190,000 to Minnesota Republicans.
When FBI agents raided Lazzaro’s $875,000 luxury condo on Minneapolis back in 2020, they seized nearly $400,000 in cash, foreign currency, bars believed to be gold, a GPS tracker, thumb drives, laptops, tablets, and multiple cell phones. A Ferrari was also seized.
Through a spokesperson, Lazzaro released a statement expressing his disappointment in the verdict.
“Mr. Lazzaro continues to believe he was selectively prosecuted for his political activities. The unusual application of this federal sex trafficking statute to his activities is frighteningly broad, conflating what is nothing more than arguably an act of prostitution with federal sex trafficking,” the statement said. “He believes he has strong grounds for appeal, and he will vigorously seek reversal of his conviction. Mr. Lazzaro trusts he will be vindicated.” deadstate.org
Anton Lazzaro was initially charged with seven counts alleging “commercial sex acts” that took place in 2020 with five underaged girls ranging from ages 15 to 16. After the jury deliberated for a little over three hours on Friday, Lazzaro was found guilty on all counts.
Lazzaro admitted to allegations that he paid teenagers for sex with money and gifts, but denied “recruiting” them, according to CBS News, which added that he “put his hand to his face and shook his head when he heard the verdict read.”
During his time as a GOP operative, Lazzaro had donated around $190,000 to Minnesota Republicans.
When FBI agents raided Lazzaro’s $875,000 luxury condo on Minneapolis back in 2020, they seized nearly $400,000 in cash, foreign currency, bars believed to be gold, a GPS tracker, thumb drives, laptops, tablets, and multiple cell phones. A Ferrari was also seized.
Through a spokesperson, Lazzaro released a statement expressing his disappointment in the verdict.
“Mr. Lazzaro continues to believe he was selectively prosecuted for his political activities. The unusual application of this federal sex trafficking statute to his activities is frighteningly broad, conflating what is nothing more than arguably an act of prostitution with federal sex trafficking,” the statement said. “He believes he has strong grounds for appeal, and he will vigorously seek reversal of his conviction. Mr. Lazzaro trusts he will be vindicated.” deadstate.org
U.S. Attorney's Office | Dist. of Minnesota: justice.gov/usao-mn
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