Ex-Congressional Staffer Accused of Staging Attack in New Jersey
A bizarre incident involving a former congressional staffer has taken an unexpected turn as federal prosecutors allege that the reported attack was entirely fabricated. The 26-year-old woman, formerly employed by U.S. Representative Jeff Van Drew, claimed she was the victim of a violent assault, but authorities now say it was a hoax.
According to the U.S. attorney’s office, the woman, with the assistance of a friend, orchestrated a fake attack on July 23 at a nature reserve in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey. The friend initiated a 911 call, claiming that three armed men attacked the woman, tied her up, and inscribed anti-Trump messages on her body.
“They were attacking her. They were like talking about politics and stuff. They were like calling her names,” the friend is quoted as saying during the emergency call, based on court documents.
When police arrived, they discovered the woman in a wooded area with her clothing pulled over her head and her limbs bound with zip ties. She had cuts on her face, neck, chest, and shoulder, and derogatory slogans against Trump and Van Drew were marked on her skin.
However, the narrative began to crumble when investigators searched the woman’s Maserati and uncovered zip ties and duct tape. Further scrutiny of her cellphone revealed her interest in online communities related to “bodymods” and “scarification” and directions to a body-modification studio in Pennsylvania.
The artist at the studio provided messages from the woman requesting specific scarification designs, which matched the injuries observed on her during the alleged attack, prosecutors noted.
In response to the incident, Representative Van Drew expressed his sorrow and conveyed his support for the woman, stating, “thoughts and prayers” were with her and hoping she receives the necessary care. His office has not clarified her employment status at the time of the incident.
Louis Barbone, the woman’s attorney, emphasized her presumption of innocence, adding, “At the age of 26, my client served her community working full time to serve the constituents of the Congressman with loyalty and fidelity. She did that while being a fulltime student.”
After her court appearance, the woman was released from federal custody on a $200,000 bond.
