Martinsville, Virginia – A petition to remove Martinsville Mayor L.C. Jones from the City Council is proceeding after the city’s Commonwealth’s Attorney, Patrick Flinn, stated there is sufficient evidence to support the effort. The petition, initiated by a group of residents, centers on allegations of conflicts of interest involving Jones and former City Manager Aretha Ferrell-Benavides.
The Commonwealth’s Attorney’s review reportedly uncovered claims that Jones received undisclosed benefits, including gifts and airfare and that he assisted Ferrell-Benavides in seeking new employment opportunities. Crucially, the investigation alleges Jones did not disclose these benefits or recuse himself from City Council discussions pertaining to Ferrell-Benavides, actions Flinn suggests may have negatively impacted city operations and potentially led to decisions being made without legal counsel.
Ferrell-Benavides was terminated by the Martinsville City Council on August 7, 2025, following a closed-session meeting. The vote was 4-1, with Jones dissenting. Prior to her termination, Ferrell-Benavides, a former city manager in Petersburg, Virginia, had been placed on administrative leave amid allegations of misusing city funds, including $2,000 spent on a golf outing for city employees. The council cited “malfeasance and dishonesty, violation of city code and regulations, unsatisfactory performance,” and other detrimental conduct as reasons for her dismissal.
The current effort to remove Jones gained momentum following the termination of Ferrell-Benavides and a subsequent taxpayer audit. A citizens’ petition requiring 375 signatures successfully gathered the necessary support to trigger the review process, according to reports. Patti Covington, the lead petitioner, has pointed to mismanagement following Ferrell-Benavides’ termination as a key factor driving the recall effort.
On Tuesday, February 17, 2026, the Martinsville City Council held a closed session to discuss the matter, specifically addressing “consultation with legal counsel” regarding Virginia’s State and Local Government Conflicts of Interests Act and Attorney-Client Privilege. Following two hours of deliberation, the council announced no action had been taken and adjourned the meeting.
Flinn had initially requested the appointment of a special prosecutor to handle the case, citing potential conflicts of interest within his office due to its working relationship with the City Council. If the case proceeds, the Commonwealth’s Attorney indicated that several city leaders and staff members could be subpoenaed to testify.
The unfolding situation follows a recall effort against Jones that began in December 2025, fueled by concerns over transparency in the investigation of Ferrell-Benavides. Ferrell-Benavides herself was previously terminated from a city manager position in Texas and was reportedly a finalist for a similar role in Elgin, Texas, at the time of her dismissal in Martinsville.
