Former Van Drew Aide Charged with Staging Political Attack

A 26-year-old Ocean City woman and former aide to U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew faces federal charges after allegedly fabricating a violent political attack against herself. Natalie Greene has been charged with conspiracy to convey false statements and hoaxes, and making false statements to federal law enforcement.

Greene appeared in federal court on November 19 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Elizabeth A. Pascal and was released on a $200,000 unsecured bond with additional conditions.

According to court documents, the elaborate hoax began on July 23 when Greene’s co-conspirator called 911 reporting that they had been attacked by three men while walking on a trail at an Egg Harbor Township nature preserve. The caller claimed the assailants had specifically targeted Greene because of her position as an aide to a federal official, later identified in media reports as Republican Congressman Jeff Van Drew.

When law enforcement arrived at the scene, they found Greene in a wooded area with her hands and feet bound by black zip ties and her shirt pulled over her head. She had numerous lacerations on her face, neck, upper chest, and shoulder. The words “Trump whore” were written on her stomach and “Van Drew is racist” on her back.

Greene tearfully told officers that one or more attackers had threatened her with a gun, physically restrained her, and cut her while writing on her body. She later repeated these claims to FBI investigators after receiving medical treatment.

However, the investigation revealed a very different story. Federal prosecutors allege that Greene had actually paid a body modification artist in Pennsylvania to deliberately cut her with a scalpel days before the supposed attack. She had provided the artist with specific patterns for the cuts, which were documented with photographs showing extensive lacerations across her body.

Evidence recovered from the scene further undermined Greene’s story. Law enforcement found black zip ties in Greene’s Maserati similar to those used to bind her. Cell phone records showed that two days before the alleged attack, Greene’s co-conspirator had searched for “zip ties near me.” Additionally, location data placed Greene’s phone at a Pennsylvania scarification studio prior to the incident.

When interviewed by investigators, the body modification artist provided a signed consent form from Greene, a copy of her driver’s license, and Instagram messages detailing the scarification patterns she requested. The artist confirmed receiving $500 in cash for the procedure and supplied photographs that matched the “wounds” found on Greene.

During questioning, Greene attempted to link the supposed attack to threatening postcards and letters she claimed to have received at her congressional office job. “We keep all of our hate mail. We recently got like, a letter with powder in it and stuff,” she told investigators, adding that staff had been advised to wear gloves when opening mail.

The charges against Greene carry significant penalties. Both counts—conspiracy and making false statements—are punishable by up to five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release per count.

Rep. Van Drew’s office has distanced itself from the former aide. In a statement to the New Jersey Globe, the congressional office said they were “deeply saddened by today’s news” and noted that “Natalie is no longer associated with the congressman’s government office.” The statement added, “Our thoughts and prayers are with her and hope she’s getting the care she needs.”

The case highlights the increasingly charged political climate in the United States, where allegations of politically motivated violence have become more common. Law enforcement agencies devote significant resources to investigating such claims, making false reports particularly costly to public safety operations.

Greene is being represented by defense counsel Louis M. Barbone of the law firm Jacobs & Barbone. The case continues to develop as it moves through the federal court system.