Who is Gisela Medina? College GOP Chair, 19, aided Anton Lazzaro in sex trafficking minor girls
OKALOOSA COUNTY, FLORIDA: A young college student from Minnesota has been arrested by police for allegedly aiding disgraced Republican strategist Anton Lazzaro in sex trafficking of minor girls. Gisela Castro Medina,19, was nabbed by police in Florida on Thursday, August 12, hours after Anton Lazzaro was arrested by the FBI. Medina is facing charges of sex trafficking of a minor, attempt to commit sex trafficking, and obstruction of justice.
According to the US Attorney's Office, prominent GOP strategist Anton Lazzaro conspired with Medina and others to recruit six underage girls for commercial sex in 2020. The 30-year-old had been spotted in the past with creme de la creme of GOP leadership — including former president Donald Trump, former vice president Mike Pence, and Florida GOP Senator Marco Rubio. Lazzaro is well-known among Minnesota Republicans and helped manage the campaign of Lacy Johnson against Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar in 2020.
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Who is Gisela Castro Medina?
Gisela Castro Medina is believed to have had a longstanding connection with Anton Lazzaro since the two were spotted together at events and in photos. Medina, who graduated from Delano High School in 2020, was appointed the chair of Minnesota College Republicans Chapter at the Catholic University of St Thomas. She also described herself as someone working with a property management firm.
From May to December 2020, she reportedly joined hands with Lazzaro to recruit and solicit minor girls for paid sex. Meanwhile, the Minnesota College Republicans have issued a statement condemning Medina and offering solidarity to her victims. "We as an organization are absolutely disgusted by the actions of Ms. Medina, and have cut all ties with her effective immediately. Our prayers go out to the victims of Anton Lazzaro and Gisela Medina—we believe you. We stand with you. May justice be served," said Nia Moore, the chair of Minnesota College Republicans.
Though the authorities believe there could be more victims sold into sex work by Lazzaro and Medina, they have not divulged many details amid the ongoing investigation. Lazzaro is currently being held at Sherburne County Jail, awaiting a formal detention hearing on Monday, August 16.
The 30-year-old, who also goes by the name Tony, is a well-known playboy who frequently flaunted his wealth on social media with photos of his Lamborghini, a jet, and even wads of cash. Apart from being a strategist for the GOP, he was also the founder and CEO of Gold River Group, a marketing company. The FBI first raided his luxury condo in mid-December in 2020 and sought Lazzaro’s bank records and video surveillance footage of the building a week before the raid. He had been charged with five counts of sex trafficking of a minor, one count of attempting to do so, and three counts of obstruction of justice. Meanwhile, his attorney Zachary Newland continues to deny the allegations, insisting that Anton was falsely accused.