Jason Zadrozny, 46, an independent councillor in Nottinghamshire, has been accused of defrauding Nottinghamshire County Council by setting up a fake heritage society to claim grant money. Prosecutors allege that Zadrozny, who was first elected in 2007, created the Ashfield Heritage Society in February 2018, naming himself as chairman and sole signatory to its bank account. The society, which allegedly never existed or conducted any activities, was used to apply for funding from the council's divisional fund.
According to the Crown's opening statement, Zadrozny applied for £7,500 in grants for the Ashfield Heritage Society, utilizing his own allocated £3,500 and funds from other councillors. The prosecution stated that Zadrozny was "short of money" and needed "quite a bit of money, in a hurry," leading him to establish the purported society as a scam. The funds were allegedly withdrawn in cash by the defendant.
In addition to the alleged fraud involving the heritage society, Zadrozny is also accused of taking hundreds of pounds from a second organization, the Classic Cinema Club. The prosecution suggested that while this club might have been legitimate initially, Zadrozny allegedly took funds from its account when it ceased to be active.
Prosecutors also contend that Zadrozny failed to pay income tax on earnings from properties he owns. He denies a total of 12 counts of fraud and four counts of fraudulent evasion of income tax. The trial is ongoing.