Purcellville, Virginia, Vice Mayor Carl “Ben” Nett was arrested Wednesday night on multiple charges stemming from an investigation that was authorized by Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares.
Thomas Julia, a spokesperson with the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, confirmed to WTOP that Nett was served a warrant from the county’s circuit court and was arrested on multiple charges connected to the Virginia State Police investigation.
The Loudoun Times-Mirror reported that Nett is currently being held in custody in Leesburg.
In a statement to WTOP, Virginia State Police spokesman Matt Demlein said Nett was charged with six felony counts that include “four involving violations regarding the Virginia Criminal Information Network and two related to bid rigging and conspiracy.”
In addition to the developments surrounding Nett, the sheriff’s office also told WTOP that a warrant was issued for Town Manager Kwasi Fraser. Demlein said in his statement that Fraser was charged with two felony counts related to bid rigging and conspiracy. After being charged, he turned himself in, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Fraser formerly served as the town’s mayor for four years and now holds an interim position on the council.
Nett’s arrest comes three months after Miyares called for the VSP to investigate the vice mayor, who was a Purcellville police officer while also serving on the town council. Nett was fired from the police department in April after allegedly misusing sick leave days.
Loudoun Now reported in April that Commonwealth’s Attorney Bob Anderson issued an advisory opinion on Nett’s actions, claiming he violated the State and Local Government Conflict of Interest Act.
On April 22, Anderson wrote to the mayor and members of the council that Nett should not be allowed to access any police department records and be barred from voting “on all matters involving the PPD.” Before the investigation, Nett and other members of the council were in the process of voting away the town’s police department.
However, on April 23, the town council voted to fund its police force through next year.
This story is developing. Stay with WTOP for the latest.
WTOP’s Neal Augenstein contributed to this report.
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