A former aide falsely claimed she was attacked in a NJ park, but authorities say she staged it to make political statements.

Natalie Greene, a 26-year-old former staffer for U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew, was charged with conspiracy to make false statements and hoaxes after allegedly staging a fake attack in a New Jersey nature preserve. Authorities say she paid a body modification artist to inflict lacerations and write political messages on her body, including “Trump Whore” and “Van Drew IS RACIST,” then reported being bound with zip ties and threatened with a gun. Evidence including location data, surveillance footage, and matching zip ties found in her car led to the arrest. She repeated her false account to law enforcement, including the FBI. Van Drew’s office confirmed she is no longer employed there.