Aspiring GOP lawmakerMarisa Simonetti refuses to deny she is an escort and says job helped her earn lots of cash, as she’s accused of hurling tarantula at woman [Video]

07:55 EDT 01 Jul 2024, updated 09:07 EDT 01 Jul 2024

An aspiring Minnesota Republican lawmaker accused of hurling a tarantula at her roommate has refused to deny that she is an escort.

Hennepin County Board candidate Marisa Simonetti, 30, was arrested earlier this month after she allegedly threw a tarantula and other items at a woman who was renting a room in the property she lives in.

Following her arrest, the Star Tribune reported that Simonetti once worked as an escort, which she has not denied.

In a statement, Simonetti said: ‘I have done nothing wrong or to be ashamed of. When you are a woman, with an infant and no money, living with domestic violence, you can’t “just leave.”

‘I made a plan to protect my son and I executed, and now hold considerable wealth. I refuse to accept any narrative that shames or blames women for the autonomy they exercise over their own bodies.’