Council leader convicted of fraud to be replaced

A council leader who was convicted of fraud and tax evasion will be replaced at a meeting on Monday, it has been confirmed.

Jason Zadrozny was found guilty of setting up a fake heritage group to defraud Nottinghamshire County Council out of thousands of pounds, and failing to pay tax on the income from four rental properties.

The 46-year-old, of Stanton Hill, announced his resignation as leader of Ashfield District Council on Tuesday.

The district council said a new leader would be appointed at the next full council meeting, scheduled for Monday.

The authority said it received formal notification on Wednesday that Zadrozny would be stepping down and that he would leave the Ashfield Independents group.

It added he confirmed his intention to remain a councillor, as a non-aligned independent.

Under UK law, a person can be disqualified from standing for or holding office as a local councillor for five years if they receive a jail sentence of three months or more.

Zadrozny is due to be sentenced on 27 November and has been warned he is at risk of an "immediate custodial sentence".

In a statement, the council said: "Ashfield District Council will continue to carry out its duties and provide services to the community in line with its legal and democratic responsibilities.

"The organisation remains stable and focused on delivering services for our residents, businesses and communities.

"The council's day-to-day operations continue uninterrupted, and there will be no impact on the delivery of council services."

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