Investigation Reveals Natalie Greene’s Assault Claim Allegedly Fabricated with Fake Injuries

Federal authorities have charged a former New Jersey congressional staffer with fabricating a politically-motivated attack that had initially drawn significant public attention.

Natalie Greene, 26, of Ocean City, who worked for former Republican congressman Jeff Van Drew, faces federal charges of conspiracy to convey false statements and hoaxes, as well as making false statements to federal authorities. She appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Elizabeth A. Pascal on November 19, 2025, and was released on a $200,000 unsecured bond with additional court-ordered conditions.

Each of the charges carries potential penalties of up to five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release if Greene is convicted.

According to prosecutors, the incident began on July 23, 2025, when emergency services received a 911 call reporting that Greene and an unnamed co-conspirator had been violently attacked while walking on a trail. The caller claimed three men had assaulted them, specifically targeting Greene because of her employment with a federal official whose identity is known to investigators but not publicly disclosed in court documents.

When law enforcement arrived at the scene, they found Greene in a wooded area near the trail with her hands and feet bound by black zip ties. Another zip tie had been used to pull her shirt over her head, limiting her mobility and vision. Officers documented multiple cuts across Greene’s face, neck, upper chest, and shoulder, along with inflammatory political messages written on her body, including “TRUMP WH***” on her stomach and a message calling her employer racist written across her back.

After receiving medical treatment, Greene provided statements to local police corroborating the initial report, claiming attackers had physically assaulted her, restrained her with zip ties, and threatened to shoot her.

However, federal investigators say they quickly uncovered evidence contradicting Greene’s account. The same night as the alleged attack, authorities searched a Maserati that Greene and her co-conspirator had driven to the park, discovering black zip ties that matched those used to restrain her.

Further investigation revealed digital evidence showing that Greene’s co-conspirator had searched for “zip ties near me” two days before the incident and had visited a Dollar General store that sells such items. The investigation took a decisive turn when authorities reviewed Greene’s phone and discovered communication with a Pennsylvania-based scarification artist.

According to court documents, Greene had paid this individual $500 in cash to create the precise lacerations found on her body—wounds that exactly matched the injuries documented in hospital photographs. Prosecutors assert that rather than being the victim of a politically motivated attack, Greene had orchestrated the entire incident.

The case comes amid heightened concerns about political violence and fabricated claims in the current divisive political climate. Law enforcement officials have increasingly emphasized the importance of thoroughly investigating reported politically motivated attacks, as false reports can both waste police resources and potentially inflame tensions.

This is not the first instance of alleged fabricated political attacks in recent years. Similar cases have occurred across the political spectrum, with individuals falsifying claims of politically motivated violence for various reasons, including attempts to garner sympathy, discredit political opponents, or draw attention to specific causes.

The Acting U.S. Attorney, working alongside Special Attorney Alina Habba, emphasized the seriousness with which authorities view such false reports, particularly those alleging politically motivated violence.

The investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue to build their case against Greene and identify any additional individuals who may have been involved in the alleged conspiracy. Greene’s next court appearance has not yet been announced.