Former GOP Strategist Indicted on Federal Child Sex Trafficking Charges

(KNSI) – A federal grand jury has indicted a former GOP strategist on child sex trafficking charges.

The indictment, which was unsealed Thursday, shows 30-year-old Anton Lazzaro allegedly conspired to recruit and solicit six people under 18 for commercial sex between May and December of last year. Lazzaro is officially charged with five counts of sex trafficking minors, one count of attempted sex trafficking of a minor, one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of minors, and three counts of obstruction.

Lazzaro had managed the campaign of Lacy Johnson, who was the Republican challenger for Minnesota 5th District Congresswoman Ilhan Omar. Johnson issued a statement via his Facebook page saying he was “shocked and disgusted” over the allegations. He also said he had no knowledge any investigation into Lazzaro was underway until he was contacted by the press and was unaware of any such behavior that led to the complaint.

Lazzaro also made a large contribution to Minnesota Sixth District Congressman Tom Emmer’s campaign. Emmer called the news “deeply disturbing.” He divided Lazzaro’s donation amount between Alexandra House in Blaine and Anna Marie’s Alliance in St. Cloud.

Lazzaro contributed to State Senator Karin Housely’s campaign. She echoed Emmer’s statement, saying her heart aches for the victims. She has promised to contribute the same amount from Lazzaro to the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota for anti-trafficking efforts.

Lazzaro must forfeit his Ferrari, phones, computers, and other electronic devices, his downtown Minneapolis condo, and more than $371,000 seized from it. He has a detention hearing coming up on Monday.

___