The leader of Ashfield District Council has been charged with fraud, money laundering and possession of cocaine after a police investigation.

Nottinghamshire Police said Cllr Jason Zadrozny and Cllr Tom Hollis, who represents for Huthwaite & Brierley, have been charged following an investigation.

Both have been summonsed to appear at Nottingham Magistrates' Court on 21 July 2023.

It comes after the party secured victory in the local elections last month, winning 32 out of a possible 35 seats on May 4.

Jason Zadrozny, aged 42, of Sutton Road, Kirkby-in-Ashfield, faces 12 counts of fraud by false representation, five counts of money laundering, four counts of being knowingly concerned in the fraudulent evasion of income tax, and one count of possession of a Class A drug.

The fraud by false representation charges 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.

The drug possession charge relates to the alleged possession of cocaine on 10 September 2021.

As a result of the same police investigation, Thomas Hollis, aged 30, of Yew Tree Drive, Huthwaite, faces two charges under the Localism Act 2011.

These charges relate to allegedly failing to declare his disclosable pecuniary interest in a property, between 30 May 2019 and 10 September 2021, as required under the act.

Nottinghamshire police said: "We would like to remind people that legal proceedings are active in this case and as such we'd urge people to be careful when posting any prejudicial comments on social media as these could place you in contempt of court."