SOUTH JERSEY (KYW Newsradio) — A former staffer for Congressman Jeff Van Drew, a Republican representing South Jersey, is accused of staging an elaborate attack against herself and claiming she was violently assaulted “due to her employment with a federal official,” prosecutors said.
Over the summer, 26-year-old Natalie Greene, of Ocean City, New Jersey, told police she was attacked by three men while walking on a nature trail in Egg Harbor Township. She said they slashed her multiple times with a knife and wrote politically motivated messages on her body with a marker.
Court documents show the words “TRUMP WHORE” written on her stomach, and another message calling Van Drew “racist” was written on her back. Greene told police that the men had called her by name and “specifically referenced her employment” with a government official.
However, acting U.S. Attorney of New Jersey Alina Habba said not only did Greene make everything up, she actually paid a body modification artist to carve up her face, neck and arms with a scalpel.
Officials said Greene and an unnamed co-conspirator called 911 to report the bogus attack, and when officers arrived, Greene was zip-tied in multiple places, including her shirt, which was tied over her head.
Investigators said they found more of the same black zip ties in her car, and the co-conspirator had previously searched for “zip ties near me” on her phone.
Van Drew’s office said in a statement that while Greene is no longer associated with the office, their “thoughts and prayers are with her” and they “hope she’s getting the care she needs.”
Greene is facing numerous charges and could spend a decade in federal prison if convicted.