The second day of the recall hearing for Ben Nett concluded Tuesday afternoon around 3:30 p.m., with proceedings scheduled to reconvene Wednesday at 10:00 a.m.
Tuesday’s proceedings featured extensive witness testimony covering a timeline of events from late January through late November, along with accounts from law enforcement officials, attorneys, and an open-government advocate.
Timeline Evidence
Much of Tuesday’s proceedings centered on the examination and cross-examination of Caleb Stought, who presented a detailed timeline spanning from January 25 through approximately November 25. Stought’s testimony included reviewing videos of town council meetings, which were presented to establish key moments and connect those events to town policy, procedure, and the town charter.
Key Witness Testimony
Megan Rhyne, Executive Director of the Virginia Coalition for Open Government, testified about principles governing public records and open meetings. She emphasized the importance of transparent government operations, stating that government business should not be conducted in secrecy.
Jonathan Dickey, an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney for Loudoun County, testified about memorializing a communication from a call with Nett occurring between February 24–27, 2025. According to Dickey, the call involved Nett requesting a court continuance and mentioning he was on administrative leave, while making statements regarding political motivations and employment consequences. Dickey testified that he sent the memorialized account to chief of staff Kim Fernandez and Robert Anderson, the Loudoun County Commonwealth’s Attorney. He explained that “memorialized” meant he created a written record of the conversation shortly after it occurred to accurately document what was said, and he further testified that he was the one who authored and sent the email summarizing that communication.
Lt. Mike Holman, a Purcellville Police Department lieutenant with two years at the department and one and a half years as lieutenant, was identified as Nett’s supervisor. According to testimony, an internal investigation with Prince William Police began February 9, with administrative suspension occurring around February 19. Sarah Lombraña later served Nett with notice of termination.
Raymond Starkey, who served with the Purcellville Police Department from 2019 to 2025 and currently works as a Loudoun County sheriff’s deputy, testified as a former friend of Nett’s who had documented calls between them. Starkey described two calls in February and March that he memorialized following the April 9 council meeting where the council voted to defund the police department. According to Starkey, Nett expressed frustration during those calls and said he wanted to dissolve the police department. Starkey also testified that Nett asked him to become police chief, which he declined. Starkey characterized Nett as frustrated with a “vendetta” — a characterization that drew an objection and was stricken by Judge Bellows.
Dana Schard of the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police testified about the police chief hiring process. Schard stated there were 27–28 applicants for the position, with Sarah Lombraña vetted as the top candidate while other applicants were not qualified for various reasons. Schard further testified she received what she considered an inappropriate email from Nett on November 4, 2025, in which Nett alleged Commonwealth Attorney Robert Anderson and Chief Lombraña were corrupt.
Background
Nett, Purcellville’s Vice Mayor, was sworn in as a council member on January 1, 2025, while serving as a police officer. He was terminated from the police department on April 4, 2025, and the following day participated in a council vote to defund the department entirely. The Commonwealth alleges
Nett violated conflict-of-interest laws and town charter provisions, including conducting business in secret and having personal financial interests in matters he voted on. Recall petitions were filed in April 2025, and Nett also faces separate criminal charges scheduled for trial later this year.
What’s Next
The hearing resumes Wednesday at 10:00 a.m.
