Convicted politician Jason Zadrozny resigns as councillor

Summarised from 3 outlets · 7 reports · Updated 12 Nov, 19:27 · Archive

Jason Zadrozny, found guilty of fraud and tax evasion, has resigned as a councillor for Ashfield District Council.

Jason Zadrozny has resigned as a district councillor for Larwood ward at Ashfield District Council, the authority confirmed on Thursday. He was found guilty of nine counts of fraud and four counts of tax evasion in September and was told by a judge he faces a custodial sentence. He is due to be sentenced on 27 November.

Zadrozny, 46, of Stanton Hill, was accused of pocketing £10,300 in public money from a county council fund intended for good causes between 2018 and 2021. He allegedly did this by setting up a 'front' organisation called the Ashfield Heritage Society and by taking money from another organisation he was involved with called the Classic Cinema Club. A jury deliberated for 10 hours and 47 minutes before reaching its verdict.

Zadrozny had led Ashfield District Council on behalf of the Ashfield Independents since 2018. He resigned as council leader the day after the judge told him he faced jail time, but did not immediately step down as a district councillor. He told the Nottingham Post he was 'considering his options'.

Under electoral legislation, no by-election will be held before the scheduled local elections on 6 May 2027, and the councillor position will remain vacant until then. Several of Zadrozny's former colleagues have since quit the party, and the government has ordered a rapid review into how the council is run.

Local MPs have commented on the resignation. Sherwood Forest MP Michelle Welsh said that Zadrozny's resignation 'does not wipe the slate clean', suggesting ongoing investigations or controversy remain. Ashfield MP Lee Anderson said the work to clean up Ashfield politics is not finished.

How it is being reported

• Jason Zadrozny resigns as an Ashfield councillorJason Zadrozny has resigned as an Ashfield councillor.Mansfield Chad · 12 Nov, 18:51
• Lee Anderson says 'job not finished' for Ashfield after Jason Zadrozny quits councilAshfield MP Lee Anderson says Jason Zadrozny quitting as a councillor is only part of the work needed to clean up Ashfield politics.Mansfield Chad · 12 Nov, 12:44
• Sherwood Forest MP says Zadrozny resigning 'does not wipe the slate clean'Sherwood Forest MP Michelle Welsh says Jason Zadrozny’s resignation as an Ashfield councillor does not mean he can just walk away from an ongoing investigations or controversy.Mansfield Chad · 12 Nov, 11:02
• Jason Zadrozny - Timeline of a turbulent career in Ashfield politicsJason Zadrozny’s resignation as an Ashfield councillor brings to an end a rollercoaster two decades involved in Nottinghamshire politics.Mansfield Chad · 12 Nov, 10:38
• Former leader convicted of fraud quits as councillorJason Zadrozny stepped down from his role as leader of Ashfield District Council earlier this year.BBC Nottingham · 12 Nov, 09:52
• Disgraced former leader Jason Zadrozny resigns as councillor after judge told him he faces jailHe was found guilty of fraud and income tax evasion offences in SeptemberNottinghamshire Live · 12 Nov, 09:34
• BREAKING: Jason Zadrozny resigns as an Ashfield councillorJason Zadrozny has resigned as an Ashfield councillor.Mansfield Chad · 12 Nov, 09:10

In this story: Jason Zadrozny · Ashfield District Council · Ashfield Independents · Ashfield Heritage Society · Classic Cinema Club · Larwood · Ashfield · Northampton Crown Court

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log