The leader of Ashfield District Council, Councillor Jason Zadrozny, will appear in court next month, charged with offences including drug possession, money laundering and fraudulent income tax evasion. Fellow councillor Tom Hollis will also appear in court to face two charges under the Localism Act.
Of Councillor Zadrozny’s charges, the 12 counts of fraud by false representation and five counts of money laundering relate to the alleged misuse of Nottinghamshire County Council funds between 14 February 2018 and 16 February 2021. The money laundering charges relate to alleged offences committed between 3 April 2018 and 6 June 2019. The income tax evasion charges relate to alleged offences committed between 1 January 2007 and 1 February 2022, and the drug possession charge relates to the alleged possession of cocaine on 10 September 2021.
Councillor Hollis’ charges relate to allegedly failing to declare his disclosable financial interest in property between 30 May 2019 and 10 September 2021, as required under the Localism Act.
Councillor Zadrozny has led Ashfield District Council continuously since 2018 on behalf of his Ashfield Independents party, whilst Councillor Hollis serves as one of the deputy leaders. Six Ashfield Independent councillors were also arrested last November and later released without charge, but a police investigation has remained ongoing ever since.
A spokesperson for the Ashfield Independents said both councillors “absolutely deny” the charges and “look forward to clearing their name”. The spokesperson added: “We won’t be commenting further on this issue until it is resolved.”
Whatever the outcome of these legal proceedings, this is not a good look for the Ashfield Independents and the party will have a tough ordeal salvaging its image and trust with its constituents.
It is no wonder the British public is losing faith in their politicians and the political system in general. There simply isn’t the space or time to list the countless examples of shady and, at times, outright criminal shenanigans displayed by the major political parties. And, on the rare occasion, there isn’t some scandal before our eyes. All we have to look forward to is failed policy after policy. This happens when all the major parties sing from the same leftist hymn sheet.
Politics has been failing our people for too long now, and it’s time for a fresh approach. The Homeland Party would field political candidates from a much higher stock. We would never indulge in illegal or unsavoury endeavours and concentrate solely on implementing policies that put our people first.
