WARNING: This article contains images that could be disturbing for some readers.
A former staffer for U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-N.J., is accused of faking a political attack against herself, going so far as to have an artist scar her body.
Natalie Greene, 26, of Ocean City, New Jersey, was charged with conspiracy to convey false statements and hoaxes and making false statements to federal law enforcement.
On July 23, a woman called 911 and claimed she and Greene had been attacked by three men while they were walking on a trail at a nature preserve in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey. The woman claimed the men called Greene out by name and referenced her employment with a federal official, later identified as Republican Congressman Jeff Van Drew, who represents New Jersey’s 2nd congressional district.
When police arrived at the scene, they found Greene on the ground in a wooded area near the trail with her hands and feet bound together with black zip ties. Greene’s shirt was pulled over her head and was also tied with a zip tie, investigators said. Greene also had several lacerations on her face, neck, upper chest and shoulder, according to officials.
Police also said the words “TRUMP WHORE” were written on her stomach while a message claiming that Van Drew “IS RACIST” was written on her back.
Greene told police that at least one of the men who allegedly attacked her said he had a gun and threatened to shoot her, investigators said. She also claimed at least one of the alleged attackers held her down and restrained her, cutting her and writing on her body.
Greene received medical treatment for her lacerations and once again described the alleged attack to law enforcement officers, including an FBI agent, a few days later.
During the investigation, however, officials determined Greene had lied about the attack. Instead, Greene paid a body modification/scarification artist to cut the lacerations on her face, neck, chest and shoulder based on a design that she provided, according to investigators. Police also recovered black zip ties from Greene’s car on the night of the alleged attack which were similar to the zip ties that had been used to bind her arms and feet, officials said.
Investigators also said that two days before the alleged attack, the cellphone of Greene’s co-conspirator had been used to search “zip ties near me.”
Greene appeared in federal court on Nov. 19. She was released on a $200,000 unsecured bond and additional conditions.
NBC Philadelphia confirmed with a spokesperson from Rep. Van Drew that Greene previously worked for him.
“We are deeply saddened by today’s news, and while Natalie is no longer associated with the Congressman’s government office, our thoughts and prayers are with her,” the spokesperson wrote. “We hope she’s getting the care she needs.”
Rep. Van Drew also spoke about the allegations on Thursday.
“I’m just praying for her,” he said. “Wish her the very best. I don’t know anything more than you all do and we never would interfere with an investigation.”
A statement from Greene’s lawyer, Louis Barbone, said in part that she served her community with “loyalty and fidelity” while working for Rep. Van Drew and that under the law “she is presumed innocent.”
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