A 32-year-old woman has been convicted on three criminal charges for harassing her Airbnb tenant in 2024. Marisa Simonetti, who was running for Hennepin County commissioner at the time, faced charges after an incident involving her tenant, Jackie Vasquez.
The Incident: Tarantula Thrown at Tenant
According to court documents, Simonetti threw a live tarantula at Vasquez after she allegedly refused to vacate the rental property at the end of her stay. The incident occurred on June 21, 2024, at the house where Simonetti was renting out rooms. Vasquez accused Simonetti of trespassing in her section of the house, and of attempting to force her to leave by throwing the tarantula at her, calling her a squatter and accusing her of not following the rules of the rental agreement.
Escalating Behavior and Threats
The situation continued to escalate after Vasquez, who was staying in the basement and studying for the bar exam, suggested that Simonetti hire pest control to address a spider problem. Simonetti’s behavior reportedly became erratic, with her taking Vasquez’s grocery delivery and refusing to return the items. Additionally, Simonetti allegedly shut off the internet and disturbed Vasquez by banging pots and pans while she was studying. Vasquez called 911 several times in response.
Recording the Incident
In an effort to document the harassment, Vasquez left her laptop on the stairs to record the events. The resulting video captured Simonetti throwing the tarantula down the stairs and yelling, “This is why you never f–k with Marisa Simonetti,” along with “hooting about Jesus,” according to reports. This evidence played a crucial role in the investigation.
Arrest and Charges
Following the incident, Simonetti was arrested on assault charges and jailed. Vasquez moved out of the rental property while Simonetti remained in custody. Investigators also found that Simonetti was not the homeowner and did not have permission to rent out rooms, violating her lease agreement. Additionally, short-term rentals are prohibited in Edina, Minnesota.
Loss of Political Endorsement
After her arrest, Simonetti lost her Republican endorsement for the Hennepin County commissioner seat. Despite the legal troubles, Simonetti filed a $28 million lawsuit on July 29, 2025, against Vasquez, Hennepin County, Edina, and local police officers. The suit alleged that the defendants endangered her well-being and political career.
Conviction and Self-Representation
On March 13, 2026, Simonetti was convicted of gross misdemeanor harassment, misdemeanor domestic assault, and disorderly conduct. Simonetti represented herself in court after dismissing her attorney shortly before the trial began. After being found guilty, Simonetti claimed that her unfamiliarity with court procedures led to the conviction but maintained her innocence.
