A former member of U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew’s workers has been accused of falsely reporting her personal assault after authorities discovered her certain by zip ties within the woods, officers with the U.S. Legal professional’s Workplace mentioned Wednesday.
Natalie Greene, 26, of Ocean Metropolis, was charged with conspiracy to convey false statements and hoaxes and one rely of constructing false statements.
Greene was a constituent companies consultant for Van Drew, the Republican who serves New Jersey’s 2nd District within the U.S. Home of Representatives.
“We’re deeply saddened by right this moment’s information, and whereas Natalie is now not related to the Congressman’s authorities workplace, our ideas and prayers are along with her,” a spokesperson for Van Drew mentioned Wednesday.
Greene and a co-conspirator known as emergency companies on July 23 reporting she had been attacked by three males whereas strolling on a path within the Egg Harbor Nature Protect, officers mentioned. The co-conspirator was not named by the U.S. Legal professional’s Workplace.
The co-conspirator informed authorities that the boys known as Greene by her identify and referenced her employment with Van Drew, officers mentioned.
Officers situated Greene mendacity in a wooded space along with her shirt pulled over her head and her fingers and ft zip tied, officers mentioned.
Greene had a number of cuts on her face, neck, chest and shoulder and the phrase “Trump Whore” written throughout her abdomen and Van Drew “IS RACIST” written on her again, officers mentioned.
When authorities discovered her, Greene was crying and yelling that the alleged attackers had a gun, officers mentioned.
Greene informed police that the boys held her down and mentioned they’d a gun whereas reducing her and writing on her physique, officers mentioned.
After being handled for her accidents, Greene repeated the story to legislation enforcement, together with an FBI investigator, officers mentioned.
An investigation found that Greene paid a physique modification artist — specializing in scarification — to make the lacerations utilizing a scalpel on her face, neck, chest and shoulders in a sample she had supplied beforehand, officers mentioned.
Authorities discovered zip ties much like those Greene was discovered certain with in her automobile the evening of the incident, officers mentioned.
A search of Greene’s co-conspirator’s cellphone additionally found a seek for “zip ties close to me” two days previous to the reported incident, officers mentioned.
Greene made her first look in federal courtroom on Wednesday and was launched with situations, officers mentioned.
An lawyer for Greene didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
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