By Canadian Press

Ex-deputy Quebec premier going straight to trial on fraud-related charges

May 8, 2017 | 10:30 AM

QUEBEC — Former deputy Quebec premier Nathalie Normandeau and six other people charged with fraud-related offences will not have a preliminary hearing and will go straight to trial.

The Crown did not say Monday why it was proceeding with what is called a preferred indictment that allows it to bypass the preliminary hearing.

“It’s a procedure that is provided for in the Criminal Code and it’s the Crown’s prerogative (to invoke it),” said prosecutor Claude Dussault.

Normandeau is charged with conspiracy, corruption, breach of trust and fraud in a scheme in which political financing and gifts were allegedly exchanged for lucrative government contracts between 2000 and 2012.

She and her co-accused were arrested in March 2016.

Sharing memories

North Stars reflect on one-year anniversary of 2023 championship

14h ago

Vise grip driver

Vise grips not a steering wheel: RCMP

16h ago

Break-in suspect sought

Suspect sought after Nipawin break-in

17h ago

Lawyers for the seven defendants were not thrilled with the Crown’s move because they were hoping to argue at the preliminary inquiry there shouldn’t be a trial.

“It’s up to the Crown to explain why they’re afraid to have a preliminary hearing,” said Maxime Roy, Normandeau’s lawyer.

The preliminary inquiry was set to begin in June and last five weeks.

Normandeau was in court Monday on her 49th birthday and said through her lawyer she is maintaining her innocence.

She served as a Liberal member of the legislature for a riding on the Gaspe peninsula from 1998 to 2011 and held key cabinet positions as well as being deputy premier from 2007 to 2011.

Her criminal case will resume Sept. 11.

The Canadian Press