Jason Zadrozny, an independent councillor for Nottinghamshire County Council, has been found guilty of nine counts of fraud and four counts of tax evasion. The court determined that Zadrozny, 46, established a fraudulent heritage society and a classic cinema club to embezzle public funds. He is currently awaiting sentencing and faces the possibility of immediate imprisonment.

Prosecutors argued that Zadrozny created the Ashfield Heritage Society (AHS) in 2018, listing a non-existent address. The society, which allegedly never existed or conducted any activities, was used to apply for grants. Zadrozny then withdrew thousands of pounds in cash from the AHS account through multiple transactions in March and April 2018. He claimed the money was handed over to Tony Brewer, a former colleague and friend who died in 2020, for a war memorial restoration project.

During the trial, Zadrozny also sought to implicate Brewer, stating he handed over cash to him for the project and that Brewer was a trustworthy individual. However, evidence presented indicated that Brewer's partner and other acquaintances had never heard him mention the AHS or related projects. Zadrozny's defense admitted that the financial dealings "looked a mess" and "looked fishy."

In addition to the heritage society scam, Zadrozny also set up a classic cinema club for fans of Carry On films. This club received a £1,200 taxpayer grant, which Zadrozny was found to have improperly used for personal benefit. He had previously earned approximately £50,000 annually from his public roles but was reportedly living beyond his means and often in debt, with his bank account occasionally containing as little as £3.

Financial records also revealed transactions related to a property purchased for over £70,000 by fellow Ashfield independent councillor Helen-Ann Smith. Zadrozny later received a £68,000 sum when the property was sold for £168,000. While Ms. Smith provided testimony and denied being a "front" for Zadrozny and Hollis, financial records showed a £12,000 transfer to Mr. Hollis for the house purchase, with Ms. Smith paying Mr. Hollis £97,000 after the sale.

Thomas Hollis, another independent councillor and deputy leader of Ashfield District Council, faces scrutiny due to his own criminal convictions, which include harassment, criminal damage, and careless driving. He was also previously fined for failing to register a financial interest in the property. Reform UK MP Lee Anderson has referred to Hollis as "Ashfield's number one public nuisance."

Ms. Smith was not charged in relation to the fraud proceedings. She testified that her relationship with Zadrozny was akin to that of siblings and denied lying for him. She had previously received a summons for failing to pay council tax, which she attributed to being too busy.

Zadrozny, who first became a councillor in 2007 and was previously Britain's youngest council leader at age 27, was supported in court by his husband, Jack Bland. The court heard that Nottinghamshire County Council's grant applications were subject to relatively light checks, operating largely on a system of trust.