WASHINGTON (TNND) — A former Congressional aide made her first appearance in federal court on Wednesday for charges stemming from allegedly faking her own politically-motivated kidnapping attack.
Natalie Greene, 26, who previously worked in Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ)’s office, was charged on “one count of conspiracy to convey false statements and hoaxes and one count of making false statements to federal law enforcement,” according to a press release from U.S. Attorney Alina Habba’s office.
On the night of July 23, New Jersey authorities, who were responding to a 911 call made by Greene’s co-conspirator, found Greene in a nature preserve in Egg Harbor Township. Her body was covered in lacerations, and her hands and feet were bound together by zip ties. With her shirt pulled over her head, authorities saw the words “Trump wh***” written in black marker across her stomach. Across her back in black marker, the words “Van Drew is racist” were written.
The FBI report covered Van Drew’s name and referred to him as “Federal Official 1.” When authorities found Greene, she was screaming and crying and shared that her attackers had a gun. However, she said that she didn’t see it. According to Greene and her conspirator, there were three attackers. The co-conspirator said in the 911 call that they were targeting Greene.
“They were attacking her,” the conspirator told the 911 dispatcher. “They were like talking about politics and stuff. They were like calling her names.”
However, Greene’s account quickly unraveled. The evening of the attack, police searched Greene’s car and found extra zip ties inside. After the FBI secured search warrants on Greene and her co-conspirator’s phone, it was revealed that the co-conspirator searched on Google “zip-ties near me.” And after pinging Greene’s movements, via cell phone towers, it was shown that the day of the attack Greene traveled to Pennsylvania.
She reportedly went to a tattoo and body modification shop where she paid an artist $500 to perform lacerations on her face, neck, stomach, chest and arms. FBI obtained a copy of a receipt from the shop, which belonged to Greene. On July 25, just days after the hoax, Greene was accused of creating the elaborate hoax, but was not formally indicted until November 14.
If found guilty, Greene faces up to ten years in prison and a $500,000 fine. She is out on a $200,000 bail.
A spokesperson for Van Drew’s office, shared in a statement that they are “saddened” by Greene’s ordeal.
“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,” Van Drew spokesperson Paxton Antonucci said in a statement.