In a bizarre twist that has stunned political circles in New Jersey, Natalie Greene, a 26-year-old former staffer for Republican Congressman Jeff Van Drew, has been federally charged with orchestrating a violent hoax against herself. The elaborate scheme, which unfolded on July 23, 2025, in Egg Harbor Township, painted a picture of a politically motivated assault—but prosecutors say it was all a fabrication designed to deceive law enforcement.
According to a criminal complaint unsealed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, Greene and an unnamed female co-conspirator staged the incident during a walk along a trail in a local nature preserve. The co-conspirator called 911 around 10:30 p.m., frantically reporting that three men had ambushed them, threatening them with a gun and targeting Greene for her work in Van Drew’s office. “They said that if we don’t be quiet they were going to shoot us,” the caller allegedly told dispatchers, claiming the attackers knew Greene by name and her ties to the congressman.
When first responders arrived, they discovered Greene in a wooded area, bound at the hands and feet with black zip ties, her shirt yanked over her head and secured with another tie. Her body bore dozens of deep lacerations across her face, neck, chest, and shoulders—wounds so severe they appeared to be the result of a savage beating. Adding to the horror, derogatory messages were scrawled in black marker on her skin: “TRUMP WHORE” across her stomach and “VAN DREW IS RACIST” etched on her back. Greene, sobbing and screaming, corroborated the story, telling officers the men had hurled anti-Republican slurs and fled after her friend escaped.
The incident quickly drew national attention, with Van Drew’s office issuing a statement condemning the apparent hate crime and expressing concern for Greene’s safety. But as the FBI delved deeper, inconsistencies emerged. Greene’s account didn’t align with her co-conspirator’s, and a search of her phone revealed damning evidence: text messages arranging a $500 payment to a body-modification artist in Pennsylvania for “scarification” services—the very same day as the “attack.” The artist later confirmed to investigators that Greene had driven there earlier, providing a custom pattern for the cuts, which were inflicted with a scalpel-like tool.
Further unraveling the plot, authorities found matching zip ties in Greene’s Maserati SUV, along with evidence that her co-conspirator had searched “zip ties near me” online just two days prior. Greene had also referenced vague “hate mail” at Van Drew’s office during interviews, including a suspicious letter with powder, but no corroborating evidence surfaced. LegiStorm records show Greene served as Van Drew’s constituent advocate director until recently; she is also a student at Rutgers Law School.
On November 19, 2025, Greene was arrested and charged with one count of conspiracy to convey false statements and hoaxes, and one count of making false statements to federal law enforcement. She faces up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to $500,000 if convicted. During her initial court appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Elizabeth Pascal, Greene was released on a $200,000 unsecured bond, with conditions including surrender of her passport and supervision by a relative. She is represented by Atlantic City attorney Louis M. Barbone, who has not commented on the case.
Van Drew’s spokesperson, Paxton Antonucci, reiterated the office’s shock in a statement: “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. We hope she’s getting the care she needs.” The congressman himself addressed the allegations briefly, emphasizing his office’s zero-tolerance for deception.
This case marks yet another entry in a string of high-profile “hate hoaxes” that have eroded public trust in reported bias incidents. As the investigation continues, questions linger about Greene’s motives—whether personal gain, attention, or something more sinister. For now, the once-promising staffer stands accused of turning a fabricated nightmare into a very real legal reckoning.
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