Congressional Staffer's Elaborate Hoax Unravels
A dramatic tale of political violence that shocked American politics has been exposed as an elaborate fabrication, according to federal investigators. Natalie Greene, a 26-year-old staffer for Republican Congressman Jeff Van Drew, allegedly staged her own attack in a New Jersey nature preserve, complete with zip ties and politically charged messages carved into her skin.
The Initial Distress Call and Investigation
The incident began when Greene frantically dialled 911 from a walking trail in Egg Harbor Township, claiming three men had attacked her. When police arrived, they found her in tears with her hands, feet and neck bound by black zip ties. Distinctive laceration marks covered her face, neck, chest and shoulders, while the words 'Trump wh---' were written on her stomach and 'Van Drew is racist' on her back.
Greene told investigators that two men grabbed her, pulled up her shirt and restrained her on the ground before tying her up. She claimed one attacker struck her head before cutting into her body, with the pain becoming so intense she began to scream. The assailant allegedly threatened to shoot her while mentioning her boss's name, though Greene admitted she never actually saw a firearm.
The Evidence That Exposed the Hoax
Law enforcement's investigation quickly uncovered inconsistencies in Greene's story. The same night of the reported attack, police discovered extra, similar-looking black zip ties in Greene's Maserati. Federal investigators later found that Greene's co-conspirator had searched for 'zip ties near me' on a mobile phone.
Upon seizing Greene's phone, authorities uncovered a Reddit profile following pages including 'bodymods' and 'scarification.' They also traced her location history from a Pennsylvania tattoo parlour and body modification studio to the nature preserve where she was found. The investigation led them to a Dollar General Store in Ventnor that sold the exact same zip ties used in the staged attack.
The politically charged markings on Greene's body were determined to be the work of a body modification artist who stated Greene paid $500 in cash for the procedure. The artist revealed that Greene provided photographs of the exact scar patterns she wanted executed across her face, neck, upper chest and shoulder.
Legal Consequences and Political Fallout
US Attorney for New Jersey Alina Habba, a Trump appointee, has charged Greene with one count of conspiracy to convey false statements and hoaxes and one count of making false statements to federal law enforcement. If convicted on both charges, the Rutgers Law School student faces up to ten years in prison, $500,000 in fines and six years of supervised release.
Greene made her first appearance in federal court and was released on $200,000 unsecured bond. A spokesperson for Congressman Van Drew confirmed that Greene is no longer working for the congressman's office, adding that their thoughts were with her and hoping she receives the care she needs.
The case emerges against a backdrop of significant political tension. Van Drew, who represents New Jersey's 2nd district, famously left the Democratic Party after vocally opposing impeachment proceedings against then-President Donald Trump. His party switch drew criticism from New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, who accused Van Drew of choosing his political career over the Constitution, while Trump praised the congressman for having 'guts.'
