By Staff Reports
A petition drive to recall Martinsville Mayor LC Jones, which began in late December, had collected more than 250 of the required 375 signatures as of Tuesday, organizers said.
“We’ve gotten an earful from virtually every signer,” said Patti Covington, one of the petition’s organizers. “The common theme being anger and frustration over the lack of transparency. Citizens feel let down by their elected officials, who took an oath to put public interest ahead of personal interest.”
Covington said the recall effort became necessary because “irregular things have been happening on such a regular basis,” citing what she described as deficiencies in internal controls related to city credit card use.
She said 134 city credit cards were issued, and approximately $1.4 million was spent, over 15 months, including what she described as questionable expenditures, late audits, and missed American Rescue Plan Act reports that she said nearly cost the city millions of dollars.
She also referenced what she described as a workplace investigation that resulted in the firing of former City Manager Aretha Ferrell-Benavides in August for “dishonesty, malfeasance, and violation of city charter and code.” Jones cast the sole dissenting vote against her termination and voted to approve a 15 percent raise and a $10,000 deferred compensation contribution, as well as use of a city vehicle, according to Covington.
The August report has not been made public, and this newspaper has not independently verified the allegations outlined in the petition.
“Citizens who have been following the turmoil with growing concern over mismanagement finally said, ‘Enough is enough,’” Covington said. “Three out of five members of council refuse to release the report, so our only recourse for transparency is to ask the court to evaluate the facts and circumstances.”
Two council members — Vice Mayor Kathy Lawson and Rayshawn Gravely — voted against releasing the report. Jones abstained, citing advice from his attorney. He has also questioned the motives behind the recall effort.
“You want to petition to put people out of office due to the way they vote?” Jones asked.
No charges have been filed against Jones. However, the petition alleges violations of Virginia law and references the August report prepared by the city’s law firm, Sands Anderson.
The petition alleges, in part, that “Jones engaged in conduct prohibited” under Code of Virginia § 2.2-3100, which outlines the State and Local Government Conflict of Interests Act. It also references other code sections, including § 18.2-439, which addresses bribery of public officials.
“There are no dates. There are no examples of specific points and times when I have broken the law,” Jones said. He also suggested that Covington is working with council members Aaron Rawls and Julian Mei, both of whom have publicly criticized him.
“Now they are hiding behind citizens and are afraid to sign themselves,” Jones said. “They should be leading the charge,” he said, and claimed that some of the language in the petition sounds like Rawls’ talking points. “It appears like they are all working together.”
At a December press conference, Rawls said Jones “needs to be investigated.”
“I strongly believe LC Jones has broken laws multiple times,” Rawls claimed.
He also addressed the termination of former City Manager Aretha Ferrell-Benavides. “Do I think there was sufficient evidence to fire the city manager? Yes. Every page warranted immediate termination.”
“I want justice,” Rawls said. “It’s deeper than me. Local governments are going bad everywhere. If people don’t get charged, how do we ever stop it?”
Jones said information circulating among petition organizers is inaccurate.
“I called for the investigation first, by an outside, independent state agency,” Jones said.
Reiterating that he has not committed any crimes, Jones said the petition could have legal consequences.
“They are signing what could possibly be a felony signature. It could possibly be a defamation suit signature,” Jones said. “They know it’s not true. That’s why they don’t want the audit out.”
Jones was referring to a forensic audit that had been completed but not yet presented to the council. He said the audit would show no financial crimes were committed.
The audit also has not been released publicly.
An email dated Dec. 22 from Jones to Chris Banta of Brown Edwards, the firm that prepared the audit, requested “an itemized list of the work performed, along with the corresponding hours or travel time spent,” stating the information would help the council understand the total cost.
In an earlier email that day, Banta wrote that he oversaw the forensic project for the city and that his firm believed the work had been completed. He asked that the invoice be held until billing questions were clarified with Sands Anderson.
“That raises another concern,” Jones said, adding that to his knowledge, the city’s law firm “has not communicated with anyone else on council except Councilman Rawls.”
Jones questioned why the council had not received the completed audit and said the lack of transparency raises concerns about motives.
“Why, then, was the city council kept in the dark? At least, as Councilman Rawls has stated, he was kept informed,” Jones asked in the email. “Why is Sands Anderson refusing to produce a document that taxpayers have rightfully paid for?”
“I sincerely hope this email sheds light on the truth — that the audit work has been completed — and raises serious questions about the motives behind these actions,” Jones wrote.
A drive-through signature event for the recall petition is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 3, from noon to 3 p.m. at the city recycling center on Market Street, across from Martinsville Middle School.
“The recall petition is an important step toward restoring trust, accountability, transparency, and stability in our leadership,” said petitioner and city resident Nancy Moore. “If you’d like the courts to review the facts and circumstances of the investigation that has been concealed — but paid for by taxpayers — please come out Saturday to exercise your legal right and make your voice heard.”
Editor’s note:
Allegations referenced in this article are claims made by petition organizers and public officials. No criminal charges have been filed. Neither the referenced report nor the audit has been released publicly.
