Leader of Ashfield District Council Jason Zadrozny charged with fraud and money laundering

The leader of Nottinghamshire’s Ashfield District Council has been charged with fraud and money laundering offences.

Jason Zadrozny, 42, is charged with 12 counts of fraud by false representation, five counts of money laundering and four counts of being knowingly concerned in the fraudulent evasion of income tax.

Mr Zadrozny, of Sutton Road in Kirkby-in-Ashfield, also faces one count of possession of a Class A drug.

He is due to appear at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court next month.

In April, the Ashfield Independents councillor returned as leader, a position he has held since 2018, after a successful election saw his party increase its majority. He has also served on Nottinghamshire County Council since 2007.

Nottinghamshire Police said the fraud by false representation charges relate to the alleged misuse of Nottinghamshire County Council funds between February 14, 2018 and February 16, 2021.

The money laundering charges relate to alleged offences committed between April 3, 2018 and June 6, 2019, while the income tax evasion charges relate to alleged offences committed between January 1, 2007 and February 1, 2022.

The drug possession charge relates to the alleged possession of cocaine on September 10, 2021.

One of the authority’s deputy leaders, Tom Hollis, 30, of Yew Tree Drive in Huthwaite, has been charged with two offences under the Localism Act 2011.

Nottinghamshire Police said the charges relate to allegedly failing to declare his disclosable pecuniary interest in a property, between May 30, 2019 and September 10, 2021, as required under the act.

Both men will appear at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on July 21.

A spokesperson for Nottinghamshire Police said: “We would like to remind people that legal proceedings are active in this case and as such we’d urge people to be careful when posting any prejudicial comments on social media as these could place you in contempt of court.”