Purcellville, VA – Purcellville Vice Mayor Carl “Ben” Nett filed a federal civil rights lawsuit Tuesday in the Eastern District of Virginia, alleging a wide-ranging campaign of retaliation and misconduct by fellow town officials, police leadership, and the Loudoun County Commonwealth’s Attorney, while publicly urging Governor Spanberger to oppose Senate Bill 648 and support a federal investigation.
The lawsuit alleges denial of due process, retaliation for the exercise of First Amendment rights, civil rights violations under color of law, breach of contract, tortious interference with business expectancy, conspiracy under statutory and common law, and defamation. Nett named Purcellville councilmembers Erin Rayner, Caleb Stought, and Kevin Wright as defendants, both individually and in their official capacities, along with Acting Police Chief Sara Lombrana, Lieutenant Michael Holman, Human Resources Director LaDonna Snellbaker, Assistant Town Manager Diana Hays, and Loudoun County Commonwealth’s Attorney Bob Anderson.
Nett, a career national security professional and Purcellville police officer, alleged that the actions against him began after he announced his candidacy for Town Council in 2024. According to the complaint, he was subjected to a series of adverse personnel actions shortly after entering office, which he claims were tied directly to his political activity.
Court filings state that Nett was charged with eight administrative violations supported by Acting Chief Lombrana, who had been hired into a deputy chief position Nett had publicly campaigned to eliminate for budgetary reasons. Those charges, Nett alleged, led to his Brady listing, decertification, and public defamation.
An independent grievance panel later unanimously exonerated Nett, according to documents attached to the filing. Despite that outcome, the lawsuit claims he was subsequently targeted with six felony charges that lacked probable cause and stemmed from a State Police investigation in which Nett was never interviewed. The accusations were attributed to political opponent Erin Rayner.
Nett said he has since met with the FBI and called for a Department of Justice investigation into the Purcellville Police Department, the Loudoun County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, and the town government. He further alleged a coordinated criminal conspiracy and pointed to the later introduction of Senate Bill 648 by Senator Russett Perry, whom Nett identified as an ally of individuals named in the lawsuit.
On Tuesday, Nett appealed directly to Governor Spanberger, asking her to oppose SB 648 and support a federal civil rights investigation related to the allegations outlined in his complaint.
- Purcellville Vice Mayor Carl “Ben” Nett filed a federal civil rights lawsuit naming town officials, police leadership, and the commonwealth’s attorney
- Nett alleges retaliation tied to his political activity and claims he was exonerated before facing additional felony charges
- He called on Governor Spanberger to oppose Senate Bill 648 and support a federal investigation
