Council leader resigns after fraud conviction
BBCThe leader of Ashfield District Council has resigned after being convicted of fraud and tax evasion.
Jason Zadrozny, of Stanton Hill, was accused of setting up a fake heritage group to defraud Nottinghamshire County Council out of thousands of pounds.
On Monday at Northampton Crown Court, the 46-year-old was found guilty of nine counts of fraud and four counts of tax evasion after a four-week trial.
He has also resigned from the Ashfield Independents group, but confirmed he has not yet resigned as a councillor. He told the BBC he was "considering things more deeply".
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Zadrozny said: "Following yesterday's verdicts, I have decided to resign as leader of Ashfield District Council."
"I am also resigning from the Ashfield Independents group with immediate effect," he added.
"I am deeply disappointed by the outcome, but I respect the court and the important role of the jury in our justice system."
Zadrozny said he recognised the "importance of public trust in those who hold office and the concern this case has caused".
He also apologised for the impact on residents in the district, and staff at the council.
During his trial, jurors heard Zadrozny set up the Ashfield Heritage Society in 2018 and applied for funding from Nottinghamshire County Council.
He transferred these funds into his personal bank account, the trial heard.
The funds included £7,500, which was requested three days after setting up a bank account for the society.
The trial heard Zadrozny, who was serving as an Ashfield Independent county councillor at the time, claimed it was to support heritage projects in Ashfield.
The authority issued the funds, and they were sent directly to Zadrozny, who deposited them in the account and withdrew them in cash in March.
Prosecutors alleged part of the money was used to buy a house with friends.
Zadrozny had denied the offences and told the trial all the funds received were spent on the community.
He told jurors his paperwork for funding applications was "terrible", and that he "wouldn't be sitting in the dock if I filled it out much more clearly".
The jury deliberated for 11 hours before its verdict. Zadrozny was cleared of three of the 12 counts of fraud.
According to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, a person can be disqualified from standing for or holding office as a local councillor for five years if they are convicted of an offence and receive a jail sentence of three months or more.
Councils also have the power to suspend councillors and mayors for serious misconduct, which includes withholding allowances.
Judge David Herbert KC told Zadrozny he was at risk of an "immediate custodial sentence".
He will be sentenced on 27 November.
A spokesperson for Ashfield District Council has said the authority is aware of reports that Zadrozny is stepping down.
"The Council is looking at governance options that would elect a new leader as soon as possible," they said.
"We will confirm details once those arrangements are in place."
They added all council services would continue uninterrupted.
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