On July 23, 2025, Natalie Greene, a former aide to New Jersey Representative Jeff Van Drew, faced significant scrutiny after making a false report to local authorities about a staged political attack. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, Greene and her co-conspirator contacted emergency services, claiming that Greene had been attacked by three men while walking on a trail in Egg Harbor Township. The report detailed a violent incident involving threats of gunshots, restraining Greene, and writing explicit messages on her body. These alleged attacks included the word “TRUMP W—-” on her stomach and “[Federal Official 1] IS RACIST” on her back, referencing a federal official known to the Government.
During the incident, Greene was found in a wooded area, her hands and feet bound with black zip ties, her shirt pulled over her head and also tied with a zip tie. Medical attention was provided for the multiple lacerations on her face, neck, chest, and shoulder, as well as for the physical and emotional distress caused during the ordeal. After her initial hospitalization, Greene described the attack again to law enforcement officers and an FBI agent. However, the ensuing investigation led to the discovery that the entire incident was fabricated, as Greene had planned the attack to falsely accuse her alleged attackers.
Further examination of the circumstances uncovered that Greene had paid a body modification artist to create the lacerations on her body, following a pattern she specified in advance. The investigation also found that Greene’s co-conspirator had previously searched for zip ties in the area, which were used to bind Greene during the staged attack. These materials were recovered from her car on the night of the incident, matching the zip ties that she had been tied with. The U.S. Attorney’s Office has charged Greene with conspiracy to convey false statements and making false statements to federal authorities, both carrying a maximum penalty of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release.
Greene was released on an unsecured bond of $200,000 following her court appearance. Despite the serious allegations, the Van Drew campaign expressed concern for Greene’s well-being, stating that while she is no longer associated with the Congresswoman’s government office, they hope she is receiving the necessary care. The case has raised concerns about the misuse of such incidents, potentially for political motives or personal harm. The New York Post highlighted that Greene joined Van Drew’s team as a part-time role in 2022 and later became a constituent advocate, adding context to the complexity of her involvement with the congresswoman’s campaign.