An aspiring politician from Minnesota, Marisa Simonetti, 32, was found guilty of assaulting her housemate by throwing a tarantula at her in an attempt to remove her from the property. The conviction, which included charges of harassment and disorderly conduct, was handed down by a six-member jury, as reported by the Minnesota Star Tribune.
Background of the Incident
Simonetti allowed attorney Jacklyn Vasquez to stay at her home in Edina, a suburb of Minneapolis, as an Airbnb guest in 2024. However, tensions between the two escalated as Vasquez refused to leave, made extortionate threats, and involved third parties in a way that Simonetti claims endangered her personal safety, her family’s wellbeing, and even her political career. This conflict led to a civil lawsuit filed last year by Simonetti.
Simonetti’s Legal Defense
Simonetti represented herself during the trial after firing her attorney just weeks before the proceedings. Following the verdict, Simonetti expressed her belief in her innocence, attributing the outcome to her unfamiliarity with court procedures. “I was just outplayed,” she commented, indicating that she felt overwhelmed by the legal process.
Incident Details
Simonetti explained to the media that the incident involving the tarantula was a result of a long-standing and increasingly hostile exchange between her and Vasquez. Vasquez allegedly bombarded Simonetti with lengthy text messages about an alleged spider infestation and internet issues. Feeling uncomfortable and unable to resolve the matter peacefully, Simonetti claimed that she was forced to block Vasquez.
Simonetti also suggested that Vasquez had threatened to have her arrested and ruin her campaign, leading her to take drastic action. Drawing inspiration from her favorite childhood movie, Home Alone, Simonetti admitted to throwing the tarantula at Vasquez in a bid to force her to leave.
Simonetti’s Controversial Claims
While Simonetti didn’t answer whether she had permission to sublet a room to Vasquez, she downplayed the incident, calling it “funny” and “ridiculous.” She stated, “I’m good at creatively solving problems… I’m a little unconventional in my ways—sometimes. I mean, I’m a silly goose.”
Additionally, Simonetti is suing Vasquez, the police department involved, and the prosecutors who charged her, seeking $28 million in damages. She alleges that Vasquez made improper use of Simonetti’s credit card to purchase $350 worth of sex toys at a CVS and used legal threats to intimidate her.
The Lawsuit and Political Campaign Fallout
Simonetti’s lawsuit claims that Vasquez used litigation abuse tactics, threatening to “make [Simonetti] look like an abuser” and “go to the media” with damaging stories. As a result, Simonetti had Vasquez removed from the home through Airbnb and attempted to involve the police. The confrontation escalated when Vasquez barricaded herself in the basement, leading to Simonetti allegedly throwing the tarantula.
The lawsuit further asserts that this entire legal debacle had a negative impact on Simonetti’s political campaign. At the time, Simonetti was a candidate for Hennepin County Commissioner and was seen as a potential contender for the 2026 U.S. Senate race. The lawsuit claims that the charges caused irreparable harm to her campaign, with key donors rescinding pledges, community events being disrupted, and valuable media opportunities being lost.
Simonetti’s Claims of Political Targeting
In her lawsuit, Simonetti argues that the charges and arrest were politically motivated and violated her First Amendment rights. She claims the actions of Edina police and the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office interfered with her ability to speak freely and pursue her political career. Simonetti alleges that the arrest was made without probable cause and based on false information.
Sentencing and Future Legal Action
Simonetti is scheduled for sentencing on May 1. Meanwhile, the ongoing legal battle continues to draw attention to her actions, her political ambitions, and her controversial handling of the situation.
