Additional Coverage:
Former Congressional Staffer Accused of Faking Violent Attack in New Jersey Park
Ocean City, NJ – A former congressional staff member is facing serious charges after allegedly orchestrating a fake violent attack against herself in a New Jersey state park this past July. Natalie Greene, 26, of Ocean City, N.J., stands accused of fabricating a politically motivated assault, complete with paid-for “wounds” and a staged abduction.
According to a criminal complaint unsealed Wednesday, Greene is charged with one count of conspiracy to convey false statements and hoaxes, and one count of making false statements to federal law enforcement. These charges stem from an incident on July 23, where Greene and an alleged accomplice called 911, claiming they had been attacked by three armed men at Egg Harbor Township state park.
Responding officers found Greene in a wooded area, bound with zip ties and exhibiting lacerations on her head and chest. Disturbingly, a sexual slur referencing former President Donald Trump and a statement calling her former employer a “racist” were reportedly found written on her stomach.
However, investigators quickly began to unravel the elaborate story. The U.S.
Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey revealed that “Greene had not, in fact, been attacked by three men at gunpoint.” Instead, prosecutors allege she paid a body modification and scarification artist to deliberately create the lacerations on her face, neck, upper chest, and shoulder, based on a pattern she had provided.
Evidence cited in the complaint includes the discovery of zip ties in Greene’s car similar to those used in the alleged attack, and a “zip ties near me” search on her co-conspirator’s phone. A search of Greene’s own phone reportedly uncovered messages with a Pennsylvania-based body modification artist, who later provided police with $500 in receipts for the work. Her phone also allegedly showed a Reddit profile following “bodymods” and “scarification” posts.
Greene previously worked for Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-N.J., whose office expressed sadness at the news. “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,” said Aaron Paxton, a spokesperson for Van Drew’s office, adding, “We hope she’s getting the care she needs.”
Greene’s attorney, Louis Barbone, maintains her innocence, stating, “At the age of 26, my client served her community working full time to assist the constituents of the Congressman with loyalty and fidelity… Under the law, she is presumed innocent and reserves all of her defenses for presentation in court of law.”
Following her arraignment on Wednesday, Greene was released on a $200,000 bond. If convicted, she faces a potential sentence of up to 10 years in prison and a $500,000 fine. The investigation into this bizarre incident is ongoing.