Edina, MN – Marisa Simonetti, a 31-year-old aspiring Minnesota GOP politician, has filed a $28 million lawsuit against her former Airbnb housemate, the Edina Police Department and Hennepin County prosecutors, alleging that a bizarre 2024 incident involving a thrown tarantula and subsequent misdemeanor assault charge destroyed her political career.
The lawsuit, filed on July 14, 2025, claims that attorney Jacklyn Vasquez, the housemate, orchestrated a campaign of extortion and false accusations, leading to Simonetti’s arrest and the collapse of her campaigns for Hennepin County Commissioner and a potential 2026 U.S. Senate run.
The case, reminiscent of a Home Alone prank, has captivated local attention and debate about legal accountability and political sabotage.
How It Went Down
The saga began in 2024 when Simonetti, then a candidate for Hennepin County Commissioner, allowed Vasquez, a licensed Minnesota attorney, to rent a room in her Edina home via Airbnb.
According to Simonetti’s lawsuit, their relationship soured as Vasquez allegedly refused to leave, made extortionate threats and endangered Simonetti’s safety, family, and political ambitions.
The suit claims Vasquez purchased $350 worth of sex toys using Simonetti’s credit card and threatened to “make [Simonetti] look like an abuser” and “go to the media” to ruin her reputation if her demands were unmet.
Tensions escalated when Simonetti, citing Vasquez’s behavior, had Airbnb cancel the booking and called police to remove her.
Vasquez allegedly barricaded herself in the basement, and officers refused to force her out. It was during this standoff that Simonetti, inspired by her childhood favorite Home Alone, allegedly threw a tarantula at Vasquez, leading to her arrest for misdemeanor assault.
Vasquez, in turn, accused Simonetti of the attack, prompting the ongoing criminal case. Vasquez’s only public comment was, “Look up the term litigation abuse,” suggesting Simonetti’s lawsuit is retaliatory.
Political Career Derailed?
Simonetti’s lawsuit contends that the incident and subsequent prosecution caused “irreparable harm” to her campaigns. She claims her 2024 bid for Hennepin County Commissioner was gaining traction, with strong fundraising and public support, until Vasquez’s accusations and her arrest derailed it.
“Key donors rescinded pledges, community events were canceled, and Plaintiff was denied valuable earned media,” the suit states. Simonetti, who lost the commissioner race twice, also alleges her potential 2026 U.S. Senate campaign, with projected fundraising of $22 million, was sabotaged, though she is not considered a top contender.
The lawsuit accuses the Edina Police Department of violating Simonetti’s First Amendment rights by “interfering with her political speech” through an arrest lacking probable cause. It further claims the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office violated her due process rights by pursuing charges based on “demonstrably false information.”
Simonetti, representing herself, seeks $28 million for damages to her career and reputation.
Strange Defense and Public Reaction
Simonetti’s media interviews added a layer of eccentricity to the case. She described Vasquez’s “double, triple texting” about a supposed spider infestation and internet issues as a “bombardment” that made her feel unsafe, especially as a mother. Claiming Vasquez threatened to ruin her campaign, Simonetti admitted to the tarantula toss as a “creative” solution inspired by Home Alone.
“I’m a silly goose,” she told KMSP, calling the incident “funny” and “ridiculous” while insisting she caused no physical harm. Simonetti also described Airbnb’s subletting rules as “hazy,” raising questions about her authority to rent the room.
On X, reactions ranged from amusement to skepticism. “Tarantula tossing? This is political drama gone wild,” one user posted. Another wrote, “Simonetti’s lawsuit sounds like a stretch—$28M for a spider prank gone wrong?” The case has fueled local fascination, with some seeing it as a cautionary tale about personal disputes escalating in the digital age.
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What’s Next?
Simonetti’s case, with its Home Alone-inspired antics, stands out for its oddity but also raises serious questions about legal accountability and the impact of public disputes on political campaigns.
Simonetti’s misdemeanor assault case is ongoing, with her $28 million lawsuit likely to face scrutiny for its ambitious damages claim. The outcome could influence perceptions of litigation as a political tool, particularly in a state with competitive 2026 races.
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