A former House of Representatives aide who claimed to have suffered a violent attack against her because of her conservative politics has been arrested and charged with faking the incident. The New Jersey woman is now accused of having staged the assault, including having her body scarred with a hateful message as part of the alleged hoax.
Former Republican aide charged with alleged attack hoax
Natalie Green, a 26-year-old law student who once worked as an aide to Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-N.J., appeared in court earlier this month, charged with conspiracy to convey false statements and hoaxes as well as making false statements to federal law enforcement. The charges stem from an attack that Green claimed occurred this summer. In July, Green had another woman, now accused of being a co-conspirator, call 911 to claim “three guys just attacked us” while the two women walked through a New Jersey nature preserve. The woman said on the 911 call that the men attacked Green and “were like talking about politics and stuff. They were like calling her names.” Green’s employer, Van Drew, was elected as a Democrat in 2018 but switched party affiliations, and President Donald Trump has described him as a “MAGA Warrior.”
Police found Green with zip ties binding her hands and her feet, her shirt pulled over her head, and marks carved into her face, neck and body; she claimed the men had hit her, knocked her down, and carved the marks into her skin. Green additionally had “TRUMP WHORE” written on her stomach, as well as another message saying that Van Drew “IS RACIST” on her back. Green, while crying, told police that the three men had a gun and threatened to shoot her during the attack. But now, authorities say the whole thing was staged.
Federal authorities detail alleged hoax as Green’s lawyer and former boss respond
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, the reported attack by three armed men never happened. Instead, Green allegedly contacted a body modification artist who specialized in scarification to make the marks on her body. She provided the artist with a pre-made pattern for the marks, prosecutors say, claiming that the artist had produced a $500 receipt for payment for his services. Green’s co-conspirator, who called 911 on her behalf, also allegedly searched “zip ties near me,” and zip ties like the ones used to bind Green were reportedly found in Green’s car.
Green’s lawyer, Louis Barbone, said in a statement, “At the age of 26, my client served her community working full time to assist the constituents of the Congressman with loyalty and fidelity. She did that while being a full-time student.” Barbone added, “Under the law, she is presumed innocent and reserves all of her defenses for presentation in a court of law.”
The office for Rep. Van Drew, meanwhile, distanced him from Green, saying, “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.”
In an era of so-called “fake news” and misinformation, Green’s case stands out for the outlandishness of her alleged plot. Green was released on $200,000 bond after appearing in court. She faces up to 10 years in prison and up to $500,000 in fines if convicted of the charges against her.