MINNEAPOLIS — The Republican activist accused of running a sex ring that trafficked in in teen-age girls, Anton Lazzaro, is innocent, his attorney said.. Prominent litigtor Zachary Newland proclaimed Lazarro innocent the morning that an arraignment was before U.S. Magistrate Judge Becky R. Thorson was live-streamed from a jailhouse in Elk RIver. . In a wide-ranging interview with the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Newland said he intends to take the case to trial. He also said made these points:
> Lazarro’s income is from interests in real estate, marketing and other areas.
> A college sophomore who has been indicted in the sex-trafficking case, Gelisa Medina, is a friend of Lazarro and had worked almost two years as part-time administrative assistant in his rental management business.
> To his knowledge, the FBI isn’t pursuing a case against state Republican chair Jennifer Carnahan: “Her name has not come up in any of my conversations with the government, and I’m not aware of any allegations whatsoever related to Ms. Carnahan.”
Earlier: Indictment: Lazarro’s high life, Ferraris, gold bullion
Newland. Criminal defense a specialty.