Charges Against Former Staffer of Rep. Jeff Van Drew

Natalie Green, a 26-year-old former staffer for New Jersey Republican Representative Jeff Van Drew, has been charged with conspiracy and making false statements to law enforcement, according to Acting U.S. Attorney Alina Haba.

Green faces one count of conspiracy to make false statements and another for providing misinformation to federal authorities. She appeared in federal court on Wednesday, where she was released on $200,000 unsecured bail along with some unspecified conditions.

The criminal complaint states that a co-conspirator claimed both women were attacked by three men on July 23 while walking in a New Jersey nature preserve. This person alleged that the attackers referenced Green’s work with Van Drew during the incident.

However, the investigation revealed that the attack was fabricated. Instead of being assaulted at gunpoint, Green allegedly hired a body artist to inflict intentional injuries based on specific designs he had provided. Police discovered black zip ties in Green’s vehicle, which matched the type used to restrain her during the staged attack.

Moreover, it was found that the co-conspirator’s cell phone had been used to look up “zipper ties nearby.”

On the night of the incident, police located Green in a wooded area with her hands and feet bound. She had multiple cuts on her face, neck, and shoulders. Disturbingly, “Trump Whore” was marked on her stomach, along with “You’re a racist” on her back. At the time, she was reportedly in tears, claiming that one of the attackers had a gun.

Green also told officers that at least one of the attackers had threatened to shoot her and that she had been held down while being cut and marked.

In response to the situation, Van Drew’s spokesperson, Paxton Antonucci, expressed sadness over the news, stating, “Although Natalie is no longer affiliated with the congressman’s government office, our thoughts and prayers are with her. I hope she gets the care she needs.”