PURCELLVILLE, Va. (7News) — Loudoun County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Purcellville Vice Mayor Carl “Ben” Nett and Town Manager Kwasi Fraser on Wednesday, July 23, as part of an ongoing Virginia State Police criminal investigation.
Nett faces six felony charges, including four counts related to improper use of the Virginia Criminal Information Network (VCIN) and two counts involving bid rigging and conspiracy. Fraser, who previously served as the town’s mayor, has been charged with two felony counts for bid rigging and conspiracy, according to officials.
The arrests stem from a grand jury-led investigation initiated earlier this year, which was authorized by the Virginia Attorney General’s office. In April, shortly after the investigation began, Loudoun County’s Commonwealth’s Attorney publicly called for Nett to be restricted from any police-related town matters due to his past employment with the Purcellville Police Department.
The timing of the investigation coincided with a controversial attempt by Nett and other council members to dissolve the Purcellville Police Department — a decision that drew sharp criticism due to the lack of public input and the absence of one opposing council member during the vote.
Amid public backlash, the council later reversed the decision and voted to continue funding the police department for the following fiscal year.
As of now, Virginia State Police have not released further details, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation. 7News has reached out to both Nett and Fraser for comment and will provide updates as they become available.
