A U.S. District Court judge has denied a former Minnesota Republican Party donor’s request for release from custody before his trial for federal child sex trafficking charges.
GOP operative Anton “Tony” Lazzaro, who faces 10 charges for allegedly recruiting six minors for sexual purposes, was initially denied release on bond in August, just weeks after his grand jury indictment and arrest. A federal magistrate judge then deemed Lazzaro too great of a flight risk.
Judge Patrick J. Schiltz on Tuesday shut down a renewed push to obtain release, citing concerns that Lazzaro, 30, would continue to threaten government officials and attempt to influence his alleged victims.
Lazzaro had attempted to interfere with the investigation, Schiltz wrote in his ruling, noting that a Minneapolis police officer had testified at an earlier detention hearing that Lazzaro had tried to persuade a victim and parent to enter a nondisclosure agreement for $1,000.
Schiltz also wrote that Lazzaro had told the Minneapolis officer he knew where he lived and that Lazzaro had attempted to collect personal information on an FBI agent involved in the investigation, something the judge called “very troubling.”
The officer also testified that Lazzaro said the assistant U.S. attorney assigned to the case, Laura Provinzino, would regret pursuing criminal charges against him.
“There is no legitimate reason — none — for Lazzaro to be collecting home addresses and other personal information about the law enforcement officers involved in his case,” Schiltz continued in his ruling.
Former University of St. Thomas College Republicans chair Gisela Medina also faces charges in the case for aiding Lazzaro in his recruiting activities.
Schiltz wrote that a Minneapolis police officer testified Lazzaro had asked Medina to obtain one of the alleged victim’s silence by going to her workplace and giving her “a bottle of alcohol and cash.”
Lazzaro’s indictment on sex trafficking charges led to upheaval in the Minnesota Republican Party. His close association with former party chair Jennifer Carnahan contributed to her resignation in August.
Carnahan condemned Lazzaro’s alleged actions and denied knowledge of any illegal activity.
Lazzaro, who is being held at the Sherburne County Jail, has pleaded not guilty to sex trafficking charges. He is next scheduled for a hearing on Dec. 15.
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