NJ congressional aide charged with fabricating assault receives court order for inpatient therapy.
A former congressional staff member from New Jersey is undergoing mandated inpatient mental health treatment following allegations that she orchestrated her own violent assault, which was later revealed to be politically motivated. Natalie Greene, age 26, who previously served as a staffer for Republican Representative Jeff Van Drew, was charged last month with multiple offenses, including making false statements and conspiring to convey false statements and hoaxes, as documented in court records.
On the night of July 23, local authorities responded to a 911 call placed by an alleged accomplice of Greene’s, who claimed that three assailants attacked them while they were walking through the Egg Harbor Nature Reserve. In the call, the individual described how they were confronted with derogatory remarks related to their political beliefs.
When authorities arrived on the scene, they found Greene zip-tied, with her shirt pulled over her head and suffering from various injuries, including cuts to her face, neck, chest, and shoulder. Disturbingly, the words “TRUMP WHORE” were inscribed across her stomach, while “VAN DREW IS RACIST” was written on her back.
Investigations revealed a fabricated nature to Greene’s claims. Evidence indicated that she had enlisted the services of a scarification artist to inflict injuries on herself. Additionally, it was discovered that her co-conspirator’s phone had conducted searches for “zip ties near me” shortly before the incident, further suggesting a premeditated scheme.
In the aftermath of these findings, a federal judge in Camden ordered Greene to receive inpatient mental health treatment prior to her trial. As part of the court’s conditions, once Greene completes the mandated program, she will be required to return to Pretrial Services where a monitoring bracelet will be reinstalled, a prerequisite for her bail.
This incident highlights significant concerns regarding the intersection of mental health issues and political discourse in polarized environments, raising questions about individual accountability and the broader implications of staged political violence. As Greene prepares for her legal proceedings, the case has drawn attention not only for its unusual circumstances but also for its potential to influence discussions surrounding political rhetoric and personal conduct within the realm of public service.
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