Ashfield council leader Jason Zadrozny faces imminent jail after fraud and tax evasion convictions for fake heritage group scheme

From the Newshound archive · first published 21 September 2026 · last updated 22 September 2026.

Jason Zadrozny, 46, once Britain's youngest council leader, is heading for a custodial sentence after being convicted of nine counts of fraud and four counts of tax evasion for inventing a heritage society and a cinema club to divert taxpayer grants into his own pocket. He appointed himself chairman of the fictitious Ashfield Heritage Society, secured public grants, and took the proceeds out as cash. A judge has signalled that a custodial sentence awaits him at his November sentencing.

Zadrozny put part of the stolen funds toward purchasing a house for over £70,000, which subsequently sold for £168,000 — leaving him with a 'gift' of £68,000.

In a cynical move, he attempted to pin the blame on a deceased former colleague, Tony Brewer, alleging he had passed the money on for a war memorial project.

Reform MP Lee Anderson, who represents Ashfield, said Zadrozny had 'brought shame' on the area and called on him to stand down immediately.