Purcellville Va., (April 10, 2026) -The Purcellville Town Council’s agenda for its April 14, 2026 meeting was amended today to include two new items: a closed session on FY26 budget amendments related to organizational restructuring, and a proposal to reopen the Chief of Police position. The latter comes amid a tangle of active litigation involving Interim Chief Sara Lombraña and Vice Mayor Carl “Ben” Nett, and a standing legal opinion barring Nett from participating in police-related votes.
Closed Session on Budget and Restructuring
The first added item calls for the council to enter closed session to discuss FY26 budget amendments described as pertaining to “organizational restructuring.” Initiated by the Mayor and appearing on page 179 of the amended agenda packet, no additional details were included in publicly available materials.
Proposal to Reopen the Chief of Police Position
The second added item, appearing on page 119 of the amended agenda packet and brought forward by the Council, proposes to reopen the Chief of Police position. The move comes as Interim Chief Sara Lombraña has not yet been confirmed by the council in a permanent capacity, despite having been unanimously endorsed by the hiring panel convened by the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police. Per the town’s process, the town manager recommends a police chief candidate and the Town Council must confirm the appointment.
The proposal to reopen the position arrives against a backdrop of active litigation running in both directions between Lombraña and Nett.
On January 28, Lombraña filed a defamation lawsuit against the town and Vice Mayor Carl “Ben” Nett, alleging two counts of defamation. The suit was filed the same day Nett filed a federal lawsuit against Lombraña, three members of the Town Council, a Purcellville Police lieutenant, and two other members of staff.
Lombraña is requesting $10 million in consequential damages and $350,000 in punitive damages from both Nett and the town, and has requested a trial by jury. Nett’s federal lawsuit names fellow council members Erin Rayner, Caleb Stought, and Kevin Wright, as well as town Assistant Manager Diana Hays, Human Resources Director LaDonna Snellbaker, Lombraña, Police Lt. Mike Holman, and Commonwealth’s Attorney Bob Anderson. Nett is seeking $41.4 million in damages.
Most recently, Nett filed a response in Loudoun County Circuit Court to Lombraña’s defamation lawsuit seeking dismissal, with his attorney arguing that Nett is immune from liability under Virginia’s anti-SLAPP statute, which protects individuals from civil tort liability for statements on matters of public concern protected by the First Amendment.
Prior Conflict Opinion from Commonwealth’s Attorney
Nett’s ability to participate in police-related council business has previously been restricted. Commonwealth’s Attorney Robert Anderson barred Nett from voting on all matters involving the Purcellville Police Department and from attending all meetings involving discussions about the department. Anderson’s April 21 opinion further stated that taking any action on such matters with knowledge that participation is prohibited could constitute a criminal misdemeanor offense.
Criminal Charges and Recall Effort
Nett’s legal exposure extends beyond the civil suits. He was arrested in July 2025 and charged with six felonies — four alleging that he used a law enforcement database to gather information through material artifice, trickery, or deception, with additional charges relating to rigging government bidding and commercial fraud against the government.
A special prosecutor also alleges Nett engaged in conduct on the council to benefit himself financially, retaliated against other council members, failed to follow town procedure, violated Virginia’s Freedom of Information Act, and engaged in malfeasance in office by attempting to eliminate the town’s police department after that department fired him.
Separately, nearly 1,200 residents have signed petitions for the recall of Nett, Mayor Christopher Bertaut, and Council Member Susan Khalil.
Should Nett be determined to have a conflict of interest and barred from voting on the proposal to reopen the Chief of Police position, the remaining council members could find themselves deadlocked at 3–3. A tied vote does not constitute approval, which would leave the council unable to act.
The Town Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 14, 2026. Purcellville News will continue to follow developments as they unfold.
