A Minnesota political candidate has been found guilty of harassment and assault following an unusual incident involving a live tarantula. Marisa Simonetti, 32, was convicted on March 13 and is set to be sentenced on May 1.
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At the time of the incident, Simonetti was running for a position on the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners, and is now a candidate for the U.S. Senate as an independent. Reports reveal that tensions escalated between Simonetti and an Airbnb tenant, Jacklyn Vasquez, soon after Vasquez moved into Simonetti’s basement unit.
According to court documents, the friction arose when Vasquez, who was preparing for her bar exam, raised concerns about pest control in the property due to the presence of large spiders. The situation deteriorated on June 21, 2024, when Simonetti allegedly began creating a ruckus by banging pots and pans together as Vasquez attempted to study. This prompted Vasquez to call the police multiple times.
The police were summoned not only because of the incessant noise, but also when Simonetti reportedly cut off the home’s internet access, which aggravated the already tense atmosphere. Vasquez eventually called for assistance again, claiming that Simonetti and an associate had forcibly entered her rented unit by dismantling a door.
Feeling threatened, Vasquez sought refuge in her room and used her laptop to record the disturbances. Footage captured showed Simonetti throwing various objects down the stairs, including what appeared to be a tarantula, amidst a shout of “spider infestation!” The police later discovered a range of items, including a live tarantula and various other objects, scattered around the staircase.
Simonetti’s actions stemmed from her belief that Vasquez was refusing to leave the premises after she had cancelled the Airbnb reservation, despite the fact that short-term rentals are prohibited in Edina. In a televised interview, Simonetti expressed her frustration over Vasquez’s behaviour, claiming that the tenant’s loud phone conversations late at night contributed to her distress.
In a twist that has attracted national attention, Simonetti admitted to purchasing the tarantula from a pet shop as a bizarre means of addressing her fears about Vasquez. Drawing inspiration from the film “Home Alone,” Simonetti recounted that her upbringing led her to use humour as a coping mechanism during stressful situations.
Following the conviction, Simonetti represented herself in court after ending her association with her lawyer. She expressed her belief that a lack of understanding of court procedures played a significant role in the jury’s decision against her.
While Simonetti maintains she was merely trying to elicit a reaction, Vasquez has characterised the situation as a hostile environment, stating she felt compelled to remain in the unit until Simonetti’s arrest made escape feasible.
As the case unfolds, Simonetti awaits sentencing and has refrained from making extensive remarks past the official court filings. Her situation has illuminated the unusual intersections of personal grievances and legal boundaries, particularly within the realm of rental properties and candidate conduct.
The latest developments in this case highlight the potential complexities involved in landlord-tenant relationships, especially when compounded by issues of harassment and public behaviour, raising questions about the responsibilities of political figures in relation to their conduct.