Supreme Court Denies Appeal of Convicted GOP Donor Tony Lazzaro

The U.S. Supreme Court has dismissed the appeal of Anton “Tony” Lazzaro, a former Republican donor convicted of sex trafficking involving teenage girls. On Monday, the high court issued its decision without comment, marking a significant setback for Lazzaro. Earlier, in February, the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals also rejected his appeal.

Lazzaro, who was sentenced to 21 years in prison in August 2023, faced federal charges related to his interactions with five girls aged 15 and 16 in 2020, when he was 30 years old. He was convicted on seven counts of engaging in “commercial sex acts,” which carried mandatory minimum sentences of 10 years and a maximum of life in prison. Prosecutors sought a 30-year sentence, drawing comparisons to financier Jeffrey Epstein, who faced similar charges involving underage girls.

Throughout the trial, Lazzaro maintained that the charges were politically motivated and he denied any allegations of explicitly paying for sex. His defense argued for a lesser sentence of no more than 10 years. The controversy surrounding Lazzaro’s indictment in 2021 also led to significant political fallout, resulting in the resignation of Jennifer Carnahan as chair of the Republican Party of Minnesota.

Details of the Case and Its Implications

Lazzaro’s case gained attention not only for its legal ramifications but also for its political implications. His co-defendant, Gisela Castro Medina, who was 19 at the time, had previously served as the leader of the College Republicans chapter at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul. She pleaded guilty to two counts last year, providing testimony against Lazzaro, and was sentenced to three years in prison.

During the trial, prosecutors claimed that Lazzaro had enlisted Castro Medina, initially paying her for sex, to recruit other vulnerable teenagers. Allegations included sending vehicles to transport the girls to his luxury penthouse at the Hotel Ivy in downtown Minneapolis. Lazzaro’s social media accounts featured images with prominent Republicans, including Donald Trump and Mike Pence. Over the years, he contributed more than $270,000 to various Republican campaigns and political organizations, with many recipients later donating those funds to charity following the emergence of the charges.

The sources of Lazzaro’s wealth have been unclear. Defense filings described him as “an up-and-coming real estate owner and entrepreneur.” Authorities seized assets from him, including a 2010 Ferrari and over $371,000 in cash, raising questions about the origins of his financial resources.

As the legal proceedings conclude for Lazzaro, the implications of this case continue to resonate within political circles, highlighting serious concerns about accountability and the intersection of politics and personal conduct.