Following her arrest on misdemeanor assault charges for the alleged altercation — which was captured on video — the aspiring politician argues the altercation strengthens her candidacy for Hennepin County commissioner because it proves she is “good at solving problems creatively.” .
An aspiring politician in Hennepin County, Minnesota, flashed a mischievous smile for her mugshot after her “artistic” response to an “intruder” — which happened to contain a live tarantula — landed her behind bars over the weekend.
Marissa Simonetti, 30, and her partner Mike Held, 69, were hit with misdemeanor assault charges after Simonetti allegedly threw a live tarantula at their housemate, according to Minneapolis affiliate Fox KMSP.
Despite living under the same roof, Simonetti described his tenant as an “invader,” which is what triggered the alleged incident.
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The would-be Hennepin County commissioner explained that she rented a house through Airbnb to local attorney Jackie Vasquez — even though Simonetti appears not to own the property and short-term rentals are banned in Edina, according to the NBC affiliate KARE. Vasquez was preparing for the California Bar exam. The association lasted about three weeks.
Last Friday, Simonetti, who lived upstairs while Vasquez was in elementary school, decided she was okay with this particular housemate. When Vasquez began recording, Simonetti played Christian music loudly, shouted and banged pots and pans.
“Christ Jesus Hallelujah!” – In this video you can hear Simonetti banging pots and screaming while Vasquez talks to the 911 dispatcher. pic.twitter.com/y4HhjUJXZp
-Lou Raguse (@LouRaguse) June 25, 2024
@LouRaguse
Eventually, she began throwing things down the stairs toward Vasquez, along with a live tarantula. Video footage – captured by Vasquez while she was on the phone with police dispatchers and shared by KARE’s Lou Raguse on her X/Twitter account – reveals the alleged incident.
Raguse goes on to detail other legal complications Simonetti has faced in recent years, leading to this latest altercation with the legislation in this topic.
And finally, Simonetti – who also appears to be filming – admits that he just bought the tarantula. pic.twitter.com/4J6g613upK
—Lou Raguse (@LouRaguse) June 25, 2024
@LouRaguse
Simonetti told a KMPS reporter that things began to change in the relationship after Vasquez complained about a “spider infestation” in the house. She said the complaints were relentless to the point where she asked Vasquez to leave, claiming Vasquez responded with harassing messages.
She mentioned that her “unhinged” response was an homage to the film Alone Residence. “I mean, there’s an element of humor in this movie, and in the end, what was I supposed to do?” she mentioned. “And at the end of the day, unbalanced took her out of the house.”
“Maybe I should have invited her to tea and scones,” Simonetti said of their fight.
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As for Vasquez, she rejected the “squatter” claim, arguing that she paid $1,500 to stay in the house and when she suggested the association’s home owner was given permission to stay. Simonetti confirmed that Vasquez had paid, but was much less communicative when asked who actually owned the residence.
Despite his recent legal involvement, Vasquez said he has no intention of ending his campaign for County Commissioner. In fact, she feels the incident strengthens her candidacy.
Alleged victim in the Jackie Vasquez case offered this image of the live tarantula she says Marisa Simonetti threw at her. An officer put it in this box, she said. The opposite image is things she says Simonetti and an older man played with. pic.twitter.com/RzyiFSOmS0
-Lou Raguse (@LouRaguse) June 24, 2024
@LouRaguse
“I’m good at solving problems creatively, and at the end of the day, I haven’t physically hurt anyone. I’m a little unconventional in my methods – usually,” she argued. “I mean, I’m a silly goose.”
In addition to her political aspirations, Simonetti describes herself as the owner-manager of Simonetti Real Property Staff, according to KARE.
According to the outlet’s analysis, Simonetti’s real estate sales license was revoked in 2016 for making “false and misleading statements” and engaging in “fraudulent, deceptive and dishonest practices.”
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In response to this report, Simonetti told the outlet: “I do some wholesale purchasing or rentals on the side, personal rental properties, and in 2016 I forgot to give someone a business card at the first meeting which was the Department of Commerce. revoking my full license. Excuse me lesson government companies want you to learn: crawl and apologize instead of trying to establish the data.
Simonetti has positioned herself as the conservative candidate in her nonpartisan special election race against state Rep. Heather Edelson for the vacant District 6 seat, saying Information about Eden Prairie Natives“As the only Conservative candidate, my values and vision will be different from those of the other candidates.”
Her slogan, for her application websiteis “Rebuilding Security Through Home Values: Do More, with Less.”
Simonetti was released on personal recognizance Monday and ordered to have no contact with Vasquez. She now has a public defender and is scheduled to appear in court in mid-July.