Nett cleared by panel—then arrested along with town manager
Two officials from the Town of Purcellville are now facing felony charges following recent grand jury indictments. Vice-Mayor Ben Nett is charged with six felony counts, including four related to alleged misuse of the Virginia Criminal Information Network and two involving alleged bid rigging and conspiracy. Town Manager Kwasi Fraser faces two felony counts connected to similar allegations of bid rigging and conspiracy.
These indictments come just weeks after the Town’s Employee Grievance Panel issued a unanimous ruling that completely exonerated Vice-Mayor Nett of all prior misconduct allegations related to his role in the Purcellville Police Department.
The panel overturned his April 4 termination, finding that the charges against him were factually unsupported, politically motivated, and procedurally flawed.
The panel found no evidence of misconduct in any of the five allegations cited in Nett’s dismissal, including his use of sick leave, attendance at council-related meeting, and failure to activate a body-worn camera.
It further determined that his termination violated both the Town’s Employee Handbook and Police Department General Orders, and that key internal investigations relied on a single political rival’s testimony. The panel also found irregularities in how and why Nett was placed on the Brady/Giglio list, concluding that the action was premature and improperly motivated.
The Town has been ordered to reinstate Nett with full back pay and benefits, and to reimburse his legal fees. The panel also expressed serious concern about internal leadership practices, citing “ongoing insubordination” by senior police officials and a “dysfunctional political environment.”
This is a developing story.
Read the full findings of the Purcellville Grievance Panel below.
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