Trapped in the Net: Officer Ben Nett’s battle against political retribution

By Valerie Cury

Purcellville Police Officer Ben Nett has been the target of Internal Affairs investigations since announcing his candidacy for the Town Council. After securing a seat, the accusations intensified, culminating in recommendations for termination and placement on the Brady List by Commonwealth’s Attorney Bob Anderson—driven by allegations from senior management in the Purcellville Police Department, certain members of senior town management, and his town council political opponent.

After over 20 years in national security with the U.S. Secret Service, the CIA, and the Department of Defense, Ben Nett transitioned into a second career with the Purcellville Police Department in June 2022. By December, he had graduated first in his class at the Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Training Academy. 

In 2023, Nett was the co-lead investigator and arresting officer in a high-profile case involving a juvenile armed with a loaded, stolen handgun about to board a school bus bound for Blue Ridge Middle School. Nett also led several major financial crime investigations targeting Purcellville residents, which helped dismantle a nationwide theft and money laundering ring, culminating in a federal arrest in Miami. 

In February 2024, he announced his candidacy for Purcellville Town Council, looking to bring his dedication and service to the community.

Shortly after his candidacy was announced, things changed for this 2024 Officer of the Year. What followed was a series of events that would soon reveal a troubling pattern of politically motivated internal investigations and harassment, aimed at undermining his reputation and career, and also overturning an election. 

Part of Officer Nett’s campaign platform focused on streamlining local government, with particular emphasis on restructuring the Police Department. He argued that the department had become top-heavy and struggled to provide round-the-clock coverage. During his campaign, Nett pointed out that the position of Deputy Chief of Police was created in 2017 in response to a lawsuit filed by then-Chief Cynthia McAlister against two of her Sergeants, and was an example of government largesse and unnecessary bureaucracy.

In July 2024, the first Internal Affairs investigation was initiated following an alleged complaint from a political opponent. The complaint accused Officer Nett of using his position to intimidate an opponent and discourage his candidacy. During the investigation, Nett was disarmed by the investigating Lieutenant and questioned in the suspect interview room at police headquarters. 

The questioning extended beyond the scope of the complaint, with inquiries about which council members Nett had spoken to and whether he intended to remain with the Police Department if elected. Ultimately, the complaint was not sustained, yet Nett was denied a copy of the complaint—even after submitting a Freedom of Information Act request.

On Sept. 23, 2024, newly hired Deputy Chief Sara Lombrana called Officer Nett into her office to discuss a campaign door hanger featuring Nett and his running mates. She objected to, but did not dispute two claims: that the department was not providing 24/7 coverage and that the department was top-heavy, with four command staff members drawing six-figure salaries but contributing little to patrol and investigations.

The second Internal Affairs investigation occurred on Sept. 24, 2024, following a complaint about a dog locked in a car. When Officer Nett arrived, the dog was in the owner’s arms outside the car, and licking her face. Upon arrival everything seemed fine and Nett chose not to activate his body camera. However, the caller later contacted the Police Department, complaining that no action had been taken. This led to an alleged Body Worn Camera violation, which is typically at the officer’s discretion. Despite policy exceptions and verbal guidance from the former Deputy Chief, the allegation was sustained.

Further complicating the situation, another supervisor, with access to the department’s camera uploads, had evidence showing command staff members not activating their cameras in similar circumstances. Despite objections from Nett’s immediate supervisor, Deputy Chief Lombrana ordered the IA investigation to be sustained.

On Oct. 31, 2024, while on leave, Officer Nett received an email from Deputy Chief Lombrana reprimanding him for distributing “Junior Purcellville Police Officer” stickers at a community event 26 days earlier, while campaigning. 

The stickers had been given to Nett by a Sergeant for the purpose of promoting ongoing community engagement. In the email, Lombrana wrote, “Behavior of this nature, particularly if part of a pattern, can result in adverse employment action up to and including termination.”

On election eve, Nov. 4, 2024, Nett received an email from Lombrana informing him he was “randomly” selected for drug screening. 

On Nov. 19, 2024, following his Nov. 5 election victory, Human Resources Director LaDonna Snellbaker sent Officer Nett an email requesting his resignation from either the Town Council or the Police Department. She cited Section 10.3.B.1 of the Town of Purcellville Employee Handbook, which states, “No employee shall continue in their position with the Town after election to any public office in the Town.” This policy had been added during a revision of the Employee Handbook in July 2024 during the campaign period. The last revision was in 2005.

On Nov. 22, 2024, the Executive Director of the Virginia Conflict of Interest and Ethics Advisory Council affirmed that Nett was exercising his rights under Virginia state law. Specifically referencing Virginia Code Section 2.2-3107 (B) (1) (ii), the director confirmed that the law clearly applies to Nett’s situation, allowing him to remain a member of the Police Department while serving on the Town Council. The policy has since been removed because it is not legally enforceable.

During a Town Council Special Meeting on Jan. 8, Acting Administrative Lieutenant Mike Holman had a loud angry outburst when the new Interim Town Manager was appointed—violating the department’s General Orders. 

On Jan. 10, while on duty, Officer Nett attended a brief agenda work session at Town Hall, at the request of the Interim Town Manager, who has administrative control over the Police Department and to whom the Chief of Police reports directly. 

Nett marked himself as being on “Directed Patrol”—the proper designation for marking a shift while in service. Directed patrols are used for activities such as observing traffic from a parked position, running errands, eating lunch, and other duties from which the officer can respond to a call for service at any time.

The aforementioned work session was the first reason for Nett’s recommended termination and placement on the Brady List.

On Jan. 15, two senior Town of Purcellville staff members initiated a meeting with the Interim Town Manager and advocated eliminating the Purcellville Police Department in its entirety. They noted the Police Department has been the source of most of the HR complaints over the last decade.                                              

On Jan. 28, just before midnight, unable to sleep and suffering from lingering flu-like symptoms—including temporary loss of his voice—Nett emailed Acting Administrative Lt. Holman to notify him that he would be on sick leave, extending into his scheduled weekend off. Nett was also dealing with an aggravated knee injury, which was later diagnosed as “patellar tendinitis,” with x-rays suggesting a possible slight meniscus tear.

On that same day, Nett communicated with both Mayor Chris Bertaut and Council Member Carol Luke, informing them that he was feeling unwell and unable to drive, making it unlikely that he would be able to attend the Virginia Municipal League conference scheduled for the morning of Jan. 30. 

Originally, Nett had planned to depart on the evening of Jan. 29, after his shift, and take leave on Jan. 30. After a day of rest, Nett decided to travel to Richmond that evening with Luke. Due to his knee injury, she drove him both to and from Richmond.

On Feb. 7, Acting Administrative Lt. Mike Holman instructed Officer Nett to come to his office, where he was informed of two additional Internal Affairs investigations and corresponding Orders of Confidentiality. The allegations were related to Nett’s attendance at the Jan. 10 agenda work session and his use of sick leave on Jan. 29-30. Holman refused to answer any questions, stating that the IA investigations would be handled by Sergeant Jessica Tacha of the Prince William County Police Department.

After further aggravating his right knee and facing the ongoing stress from the personal campaign against him, Nett notified the Police Department and the Town Manager, on Feb. 8, that he would be on sick leave until further notice. 

At the conclusion of the Town Council meeting on Feb. 13, Acting Chief Lombrana approached Nett and handed him an envelope containing a memorandum from Acting Administrative Lt. Holman, who had just been promoted. The memorandum requested that Nett provide notice of his expected return to work by Monday, Feb. 17, and included threats of insubordination if he did not comply.

On Feb. 13, Nett attended a council meeting while on sick leave. Council meetings are scheduled to avoid conflicts with members’ regular shifts and work responsibilities. Additionally, it’s possible to be unfit for duty as a police officer and still be fully capable of attending and sitting through a council meeting.

On Feb. 14, Officer Nett submitted a formal ethics complaint against Lombrana, Holman, and the Director of Human Resources, and became the second sworn member to file a formal ethics complaint against Lombrana and Holman.

As instructed, Nett emailed Lt. Holman on Feb. 16—copying Deputy Chief Lombrana—to provide his expected return-to-work date of Feb. 27.

On Feb. 17, Lt. Holman texted Officer Nett’s personal cell phone, instructing him to respond by 2 p.m. or he would “be stopping by your residence.” Officer Nett had already communicated with Lt. Holman, as instructed, providing his return-to-work date. Since Nett was under no obligation to respond to work calls or messages while on leave, he instead notified the Town Manager. Holman did not visit Nett’s residence.

At 9:58 a.m., on Feb. 18, Lt. Holman emailed Nett, informing him that he was being placed on administrative leave and demanding that Nett turn in all issued PD property—including his badge, gun, uniforms, and credentials by 4 p.m. The memorandum stated: “By this action, your police powers and authority are suspended until such time as a determination is made regarding your ability to return to duty.” 

The memorandum explained that this action was being taken because Nett’s “lack of a doctor’s note constitutes insubordination. Insubordination is grounds for relief and possible termination.” 

However, this contradicted Lt. Holman’s order from Feb. 13, to which Nett had already complied by providing his anticipated return-to-work date—an email to which Lt. Holman had not responded. That order explicitly stated, “You will not be able to return to duty until this physician’s statement is provided.” However, Nett had not yet returned to duty.

This was another reason in which Nett was recommended for termination and placed on the Brady List.

Forty-four minutes later on Feb. 18, at 10:42 a.m., Lombrana sent an email to the entire Police Department stating, “Officer Nett is relieved of duty and is on administrative leave” while noting he is not allowed in the Purcellville Police Department building unless accompanied by herself or Holman. Holman delivered the same message to Nett’s residence, while Nett was at the pharmacy, alarming his wife. 

Sixty-one minutes later, at 11:43 a.m., Nett received a voicemail, followed by an email at 11:50 a.m. from the Prince William County Sergeant regarding the Internal Affairs investigations initiated on Feb. 7—eleven days earlier.

On Feb. 19, the Interim Town Manager and Town Attorney met to discuss the targeting of Officer Nett and reviewed ethics complaints filed against Acting Chief Lombrana and Lt. Holman. Following the Town Attorney’s advice, the Interim Town Manager emailed Lombrana, directing her to immediately reinstate Officer Nett to full duty until legal guidance and a formal investigation were completed. The directive also reminded Lombrana of the Town Code requirement to promptly transmit charges and witness information for proper investigation, stressing full compliance moving forward.                                           

Lombrana did not comply with the lawful directive to reinstate Nett and in further defiance, Holman again texted Nett’s personal cell phone ordering him to respond to the Prince William County Police regarding the Internal Affairs investigations. However, based on the direction from the Town Manager, Officer Nett was instructed not to surrender his badge and credentials or participate in the inquiry.

On Feb. 21, the Town Attorney said he had reached out to the Prince William County Sergeant tasked by Lt. Holman with leading the IA. However, she stated that she no longer needed to discuss the matter—just three days after her initial outreach to Officer Nett.

On February 21, a courier delivered two memorandums to Officer Nett from Acting Chief Lombrana, notifying him of sustained allegations and an intent to terminate his employment. The memos, titled “Advanced Notice of Discipline,” stated that Nett had five days to respond to the charges, with termination effective Feb. 28, if no response was received.

Before the Feb. 25 Town Council meeting, Officer Nett was informed by the Town Attorney that Commonwealth’s Attorney Bob Anderson had placed him on the Brady List due to sustained charges from Acting Chief Lombrana and based on Council Member Erin Rayner’s interview with Prince William’s investigator. 

Notably, Anderson’s letter, dated Feb. 24, came two days before the Feb. 26 deadline for Nett’s response to the charges pursuant to the Law Enforcement Officer’s Procedural Guarantee Act. At the Town Council meeting, former Chief Cynthia McAlister, former Chief Barry Dufek, Acting Chief Lombrana, and Lt. Holman were present and observed directing smirks at Officer Nett.

Former Chief Cynthia McAlister and her husband attended the Purcellville March 25 Work Session, where they were seen clapping and mocking Vice Mayor Ben Nett. McAlister’s husband also used foul language directed at Nett, and audible to this reporter who was seated nearby. McAlister also campaigned for the Stan Milan slate in the November 2024 election.

During the week of Feb. 26, the confidential Internal Affairs investigation of Officer Nett was leaked to two Loudoun newspapers. The leak detailed the allegations, which were meant to remain confidential, along with quotes from Commonwealth’s Attorney Anderson’s letter placing Officer Nett on the Brady List.

On March 19, nearly a month after the notice of termination and being put on the Brady List, Nett was given the opportunity to answer the sustained charges at a so called pre-disciplinary hearing at Prince William County Police Headquarters. There, Nett provided evidence with supporting affidavits demonstrating that all of the sustained charges against him were both unfounded and politically motivated.