PURCELLVILLE, Va. (April 2026) — A civil lawsuit has been filed in Loudoun County Circuit Court by Loudoun County Commonwealth’s Attorney Robert D. Anderson against Purcellville Vice Mayor Carl “Ben” Nett and the Town of Purcellville, alleging defamation and seeking monetary damages.
According to the complaint, Anderson alleges that Nett made false and defamatory statements about him both individually and in his official capacity as Vice Mayor, and that some of those statements were made on behalf of the Town. The lawsuit names Nett in both his individual and official roles, as well as the Town of Purcellville as defendants.
The filing states that the claims arise from statements that Anderson contends damaged his reputation and professional standing. The complaint seeks compensatory and punitive damages.
Background and Context
The complaint outlines a series of events tied to Nett’s role as a member of the Purcellville Town Council and his employment with the Purcellville Police Department. According to the filing, Nett was placed on administrative leave in February 2025 during an internal affairs investigation and was later terminated in April 2025.
The document further states that Anderson, in his role as Commonwealth’s Attorney, placed Nett on the Brady/Giglio list in February 2025, a designation that can impact an officer’s ability to testify in court.
The complaint alleges that following these events, Nett made statements publicly and in written communications that Anderson claims were false and defamatory. These include assertions that Anderson engaged in misconduct, corruption, or conspiracy related to actions taken against Nett.
The filing references a letter sent by Nett to the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police and an opinion piece titled “The Battle of Purcellville”, which were distributed publicly and, according to the complaint, republished by various media outlets.
Anderson contends that these statements went beyond opinion and constituted factual claims that harmed his reputation.
In addition to claims against Nett individually, the lawsuit asserts that the Town of Purcellville may also bear responsibility. The complaint argues that Nett’s statements, made in his official capacity, could be attributable to the Town.
Damages Sought
The complaint requests $10 million in compensatory damages and $350,000 in punitive damages, along with interest and other relief deemed appropriate by the court.
The case has been filed in Loudoun County Circuit Court, and a jury trial has been requested. As of now, the allegations outlined in the complaint represent claims by the plaintiff and have not been adjudicated in court.
No response from Nett or the Town of Purcellville was included in the filing.
This is a developing story. Purcellville News will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.
