Purcellville Vice Mayor Ben Nett has been slapped with six felony charges for allegedly snooping through a police database to dig dirt on political rivals while also getting tangled in bid rigging and fraud against his town.
In a nutshell, Nett and Town Manager Kwasi Fraser are both facing serious accusations from the Virginia State Police, including misuse of law enforcement systems and shady dealings with town contracts, leading to their arrests and release on bond Wednesday night, LoudounNow reported.
Let’s rewind to the start of this mess. Nett, a former Purcellville Police officer until his termination on April 4, ran for Town Council last November on a slate opposing then-Mayor Stanley Milan and current councilmember Caleb Stought. The political bad blood seems to have set the stage for what’s unfolded.
Court documents paint a troubling picture, claiming Nett accessed sensitive data on Caleb Stought and Erica Stought around May 22, using deceptive means via a statewide law enforcement network. Additional charges point to similar unauthorized lookups on Milan and another individual across several dates later in the year. If true, this isn’t just a privacy breach—it’s a betrayal of public trust.
Virginia State Police spokesperson Matt Demlein explained that these charges tie directly to violations of a critical data communications system linked to national law enforcement networks. One has to wonder: in an era where personal information is already under siege, why would an elected official risk everything for a political edge?
But the database drama is just the appetizer. Nett also faces accusations of conspiring to manipulate a town bid to control purchases or prices, effectively sidelining fair competition. This kind of backroom dealing, if proven, undermines the very foundation of local governance.
Adding fuel to the fire, there’s a charge of fraudulent commercial dealings, alleging Nett hid key facts or made false claims in transactions with Purcellville. Court papers don’t mince words, accusing him of using tricks and schemes in these interactions. It’s the kind of behavior that makes taxpayers question who’s looking out for their interests.
Town Manager Kwasi Fraser isn’t off the hook either, facing two felony counts for similar bid rigging and fraud against the government. Both he and Nett turned themselves in Wednesday night, each released on a $5,000 bond. The parallel charges suggest a deeper rot in town leadership that needs urgent scrutiny.
Digging into the bid controversy, records show Nett and Fraser met with consultant Mike Jones on January 27 at a local restaurant, discussing a $12,000 police department assessment before the bid was even posted. Later, Fraser selected Jones’ company as the lowest bidder, despite admitting he hadn’t met with other competitors. Smells like favoritism, doesn’t it?
Fraser had announced plans for this independent assessment on February 25, following a wave of resignations and retirements in the police department after Nett’s election and the dismissal of the previous town manager. A memo from Nett to Jones reportedly outlined police restructuring and hinted at Nett’s ambition to become chief post-assessment. Ambition is one thing, but stacking the deck is quite another.
After Nett’s firing on April 4, he filed a grievance, and a panel on June 28 recommended his reinstatement with backpay, claiming political motives behind his termination. The panel, partly selected by Nett and Fraser, also criticized the interim chief for launching an internal probe into Nett. While due process matters, this setup raises eyebrows about impartiality.
The grievance process remains unresolved, as the town’s policy dictates further review by either Fraser or a circuit court judge, given Fraser’s involvement. Meanwhile, both Nett and Fraser are set to appear before a Loudoun County Circuit judge on Monday at 9 a.m. The clock is ticking for accountability.
Mayor Christopher Bertaut took to social media, declaring, “This Council has worked hard to bring transparency.” He added, “We will not be shaken.” Noble words, but when top officials are indicted, transparency feels more like a buzzword than a reality.
Bertaut also insisted the council won’t back down in fighting for what’s right. Yet, with no response to inquiries about a special meeting on Fraser’s status as town manager, one wonders if the fight is more rhetoric than action in a town desperate for straight answers.
At the end of the day, Purcellville’s citizens deserve leaders who prioritize integrity over political gamesmanship. These allegations, if proven, aren’t just legal violations—they’re a slap in the face to every taxpayer expecting fair play. Let’s hope the court proceedings shed light on whether this is a case of overreach or a genuine breach of duty.
