Republican strategist called ‘Minnesota’s Jeffrey Epstein’ convicted of teen sex trafficking
well connected Republican Party An online wealth strategist has been found guilty of sex trafficking minors in Minneapolis.
Anton Lazarus was described as ‘of Minneapolis’ by prosecutors Jeffrey EpsteinHe was accused of preying on “broken” young girls, feeding them Everclear liquor, and paying them tens of thousands of dollars after having sex with them.
Defense attorneys allege that the 32-year-old defendant, who once captioned an Epstein shot with “RIP my brother,” was trying to “fix” a high school student and hired one as a recruiter.
One girl told the court she showered three times a day after her encounter with Lazarus, adding that “my innocence was stolen from me.”
All victims were described as mostly white and slender, and many claimed to have suffered from drug or alcohol addiction.
Republican strategist Anton Lazarus, 32, described by prosecutors as the “Jeffrey Epstein of Minneapolis,” was convicted of sex trafficking minors in Minneapolis.
Lazarus is reported to have donated over $270,000 to campaigns and political committees. Donald Trump on the left and former Vice President Mike Pence on the right.
Lazarus, who admitted to having sex with his victim in 2020, but was 30 at the time, denied solicitation. Minnesota Star Tribune report.
He was found guilty Friday on seven counts, including five girls aged between 15 and 16. He now faces 10 years to life in prison.
His current girlfriend, Kira Kostal, 21, testified in his defense.
In the past, he has branded himself a “next-generation Republican” with “more modernized views” and has sought to make the party more welcoming to the LGBTQ community and women.
He had donated to the Republican Party for nearly a decade, according to Federal Election Commission records. He is reported to have donated more than $270,000 of his to campaigns and political committees.
And in 2020, he served as campaign manager after Republican candidate Lacey Johnson’s unsuccessful candidacy.
Johnson denied knowing about Lazarus’ exploits, saying, “I don’t know that side of Tony. He’s young, he has money, and that tends to attract women.”
Lazarus was on the shortlist of Minnesota Republican “alternate” presidential electors who could replace the missing delegate in 2020.
That same year, he shared a video on Twitter of Joe Biden interacting with a little girl, adding, “Parents need to keep their kids away from Creepy Joe.”
On social media, he often showed off his flamboyant lifestyle by posting pictures of himself on a plane with a bottle of champagne and a sports car.
Some of the victims say they were introduced to Lazarus on social media through Medina or a man he knew.
A 15-year-old woman said she was picked up from a pajama party with two friends to see Lazarus.
On social media, she showed off her flamboyant lifestyle by posting pictures of herself with planes, sports cars and bottles of champagne.
A 15-year-old girl picked me up from a pajama party with two friends, and another girl said she was paid to have group sex with Lazarus and her sister.
He was also accused of soliciting 21-year-old Gisella Castro Medina, who eventually testified against him.
Lazarus paid Medina over $54,000. Minneapolis Star Tribune report.
Prosecutors said the money was payment for her winning the underage girl for his pleasure and her silence.
Lazarus said in court that he gave Medina the amount out of generosity. Associated Press.
Some of the victims said they were introduced to Lazarus on social media through Medina or a man he knew.
Medina pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing in August.
The heart of the court where he takes the girls to his condo and gives them Everclear, the strongest liquor available.
Lazarus, now dating 21-year-old Kira Costal, testified in defense
The incident was centered on suspicions from the age of 30 in 2020
During the trial, prosecutors were shown an image of Jeffrey Epstein that Lazarus had sent to a friend, with the caption “RIP my brother.”He’s been pictured with his girlfriend on Facebook
Prosecutors then alleged they went through a “guiding” or “intrusion process” of listening to their concerns while giving the girls money and gifts. Lawyers said he viewed the process as “art.”
The FBI was alerted to the incident after noticing one victim’s mother was concerned about her daughter’s behavioral changes, along with suspicious large cash deposits in a shared bank account.
The Minnesota Criminal Investigative Service had already investigated a report from another victim’s family, according to the Star Tribune.
Agents raided his 19th floor Hotel Ivy condominium in downtown Minneapolis in December 2020. He was arrested in his August 2021. website.
During the trial, prosecutors were shown an image of Jeffrey Epstein that Lazarus had sent to a friend, with the caption “RIP my brother.”
Prosecutor Melinda Williams told jurors that Lazarus was a man who “seemed to have it all.”
“He wanted sex, not just sex,” she added.
“He wanted sex with an underage girl under the age of 18. And he had a plan to get it.”
His attorneys have repeatedly claimed he was unfairly targeted and strongly denied that he trafficked girls.
“I continue to believe that I have been selectively indicted for my political activism,” spokesperson Stacey Bettyson said in a statement Friday.
Lazarus shared a video of the dramatic moment when FBI agents raided his 19th floor Hotel Ivy condominium in downtown Minneapolis in 2020.
Lazarus has appeared frequently as a contributor to Fox News.
He was also accused of soliciting Gisela Castro Medina (pictured) and eventually testified against him.
Medina pleads guilty, awaiting sentencing in August
The pair are pictured together on Lazarus’ website
Meanwhile, his attorney, Daniel Goertz, told jurors:
Frankly, as a father of three daughters, so am I. Condemnation is justified, but that’s not why we’re here.
Lazarus nodded during Goertz’s argument in court. star tribune report.
Other times he sat back in his chair, shook his head in disgust, and muttered to himself and his lawyer.
A sentencing date has not been confirmed.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11928691/GOP-strategist-described-Minnesotas-Jeffrey-Epstein-convicted-teen-sex-trafficking.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 Republican strategist called ‘Minnesota’s Jeffrey Epstein’ convicted of teen sex trafficking