Nett issued a formal response to House Bill 505, introduced by Delegate John McAuliff, arguing the measure would overturn existing state law and prevent large numbers of Virginians from participating in local government. According to Nett, the bill would have the effect of invalidating votes and reshaping municipal governance rules in a way that alters the outcome of local elections, including in Purcellville.
The proposal known as HB505 was first circulated in 2025, according to Nett, by Purcellville Town Council member Erin Rayner, who is now running for mayor. Nett alleges the effort was part of a broader campaign to challenge the most recent town election and advance policies that could enable annexation and development in Purcellville and western Loudoun County.
HB505 prohibits a member of a governing body of a locality from holding any other position of employment with such locality and provides that if any member of a governing body of a locality begins or continues in another position of employment with such locality on or after the day on which his term begins, his office is deemed vacant. The bill also provides that no member of a governing body of a locality may take any vote on any subject related to his former employment with such locality within one year of terminating such employment.
Elected to the Town Council in 2024 after campaigning on local government reform, Nett also serves as vice mayor and is a former national security professional who joined the Purcellville Police Department in 2022. He states that shortly after taking office he faced multiple administrative charges from the department, was placed on the Loudoun County Brady/Giglio list, decertified, and later cleared by an independent grievance panel. Following that decision, Nett says he was indicted on six felony charges, which he characterizes as retaliatory.
Citing alleged violations of his civil rights under color of law, Nett says he has met with federal authorities and requested that the DOJ open a civil rights investigation into the Purcellville Police Department, the Loudoun County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, and the town government. He has also indicated that a federal civil rights lawsuit is forthcoming.
Nett contends HB 505 is designed to achieve what prior administrative, civil, and criminal actions did not, the reversal of a local election. He argues the bill would also extend beyond Purcellville, affecting hundreds of thousands of civil service employees statewide by restricting their ability to engage in local governance.
Key Points: Vice mayor seeks DOJ probe as Purcellville power struggle spills into Virginia legislature – Purcellville
- Vice Mayor Carl “Ben” Nett has requested a Department of Justice civil rights investigation tied to actions by local and county entities.
- Nett opposes HB 505, saying it would overturn existing law and disenfranchise civil service employees across Virginia.
- He is seeking to testify before the Virginia General Assembly regarding the proposed legislation.
In his request to lawmakers, Nett asked for the opportunity to appear before the General Assembly to present his objections to HB 505 and to outline what he describes as a coordinated effort to undermine the results of the Purcellville town election.