Martinsville to Release Forensic Audit Details at April Council Meeting

City leaders vote unanimously to provide transparency after months of debate over former city manager's dismissal.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 8:48pm

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A realistic painting of a government building or office space in warm, golden light with deep shadows, conveying a sense of quiet contemplation and civic duty.The release of a forensic audit promises to shed light on the controversial dismissal of Martinsville's former city manager.Martinsville Today

The city of Martinsville, Virginia has voted unanimously to release information from a forensic audit of the city's finances at the next city council meeting on April 14. The audit is tied to the firing of former City Manager Aretha Ferrell-Benavides last summer for alleged violations of city code, malfeasance, and dishonesty. Details surrounding the allegations have remained unclear, but the new city council majority is pushing for more transparency.

Why it matters

The release of the forensic audit details is seen as an important step toward transparency in Martinsville's local government after months of debate and confusion over the circumstances surrounding the former city manager's dismissal. Residents have expressed a desire to see the facts for themselves and understand what led to the audit and Ferrell-Benavides' termination.

The details

Martinsville city leaders voted unanimously on Monday night to release information from the forensic audit, which was ordered after former City Manager Aretha Ferrell-Benavides was fired last summer. Ferrell-Benavides was dismissed for alleged violations of city code, malfeasance, and dishonesty, but details surrounding those allegations have remained unclear. The shift toward releasing the audit information came down to changes in the city council's makeup, with a new majority of three council members - Aaron Rawls, Julian Mei, and Gene Teague - supporting the release. Mayor L.C. Jones, who was suspended over bribery allegations, was unable to vote, allowing the new majority to move the release forward.

  • Aretha Ferrell-Benavides was fired as Martinsville City Manager last summer.
  • The Martinsville City Council voted unanimously to release forensic audit details on March 30, 2026.
  • The first round of audit information will be released at the next city council meeting on April 14, 2026.

The players

Aretha Ferrell-Benavides

The former City Manager of Martinsville who was fired last summer for alleged violations of city code, malfeasance, and dishonesty.

L.C. Jones

The Mayor of Martinsville who was suspended over bribery allegations and unable to vote on the release of the forensic audit details.

Aaron Rawls

A Martinsville City Councilman who supports releasing the forensic audit information.

Julian Mei

A Martinsville City Councilman who supports releasing the forensic audit information.

Gene Teague

A new Martinsville City Councilman who supports releasing the forensic audit information.

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What they’re saying

“I don't know much about it, but I'd be very curious to learn more.”

— Samantha Smith, Martinsville Resident

“The people. We had three people who were part of all of this stuff, and now we have three people who were not.”

— Aaron Rawls, Martinsville City Councilman

What’s next

The first round of forensic audit information will be released at the Martinsville City Council meeting on April 14, 2026.

The takeaway

The release of the forensic audit details in Martinsville represents an important step toward transparency in the city's local government after months of debate and confusion over the circumstances surrounding the former city manager's dismissal. Residents have expressed a desire to see the facts for themselves, and the new city council majority is pushing to provide that information to the public.