Marisa Simonetti
MINNEAPOLIS (KFGO) – A former candidate for Hennepin County Commissioner has been found guilty for harassing another woman with a tarantula. Marisa Simonetti, 32, was convicted by a Hennepin County Jury of harassment and assault following a June 2024 incident in which Simonetti was accused of trying to force and Airbnb guest to leave her Edina home.
Simonetti allegedly played loud music, banged together pots and pans and threw a tarantula down a staircase at Jacklyn Vasquez, who was renting the basement of Simonetti’s home. Court records say Vasquez played a video during the trial that showed Simonetti tossing the tarantula while throwing other items down the stairs and shouting.
The criminal complaint states the incident began when Vasquez asked about using pest control to remove spiders in the basement. Prosecutors say police had previously been called to Simonetti’s home for a similar incident.
Simonetti represented herself during the trial. She is currently running for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Tina Smith.
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