Purcellville Va – On November 25, 2025, a 11-page review conducted by Special Prosecutor Eric Olsen concluded that the grievance hearing and its decision regarding former police officer Carl Benjamin Nett were inconsistent with both the Town of Purcellville’s written grievance policy and the Commonwealth of Virginia’s State Grievance Procedure.  As a result, the decision to reinstate Nett, including the award of back pay and legal fees, is deemed invalid under the applicable legal and procedural standards.

This finding effectively nullifies the outcome of the grievance panel’s decision. However, it does not automatically bar Nett from reinstatement. The process must be redone in compliance with the proper procedures, potentially requiring a new grievance hearing to determine Nett’s final employment status.

Carl Benjamin Nett, formerly serving both as a police officer and a town council member, was terminated in April 2025 after a disciplinary investigation by the Prince William County Police Department. Nett filed a grievance against this decision, and a panel hearing in June 2025 initially ruled in his favor, ordering reinstatement with compensation.

Upon review, a Special Prosecutor found that the grievance panel did not adhere to the required selection process, as members were not chosen from a designated list, compromising the impartiality expected under both town and state procedures. This led the Loudoun Circuit Court to dismiss the town’s appeal based on jurisdictional grounds, emphasizing further procedural concerns.

As a result, the Special Prosecutor’s findings conclude that the panel’s decision was not consistent with established legal and procedural standards. This determination allows a re-evaluation of Nett’s case, adhering to proper grievance procedures either through a new hearing or alignment with state policies.

The resolution of Carl Benjamin Nett’s employment status remains pending as these procedural corrections are implemented.