Nathalie Normandeau heading back on air, despite legal woes
Former deputy premier will take up hosting duties this fall on Quebec City's BLVD 102,1
Nathalie Normandeau, the former deputy premier now facing several corruption-related criminal charges, will be returning to Quebec airwaves this fall.
BLVD 102,1, a Quebec City radio station owned by Leclerc Communication, told Radio-Canada on Thursday that Normandeau will take up hosting duties beginning Sept. 6.
"It's excellent news for our company," said Dan Caron, the station's program manager. "Nathalie Normandeau deserves to take up the microphone again. She's one of the greatest radio talents I've heard."
Normandeau was co-hosting a popular radio program on FM 93 — owned by the rival Cogeco Media — when she was arrested in March.
She was fired after being charged with conspiracy, corruption, breach of trust and bribery for incidents that allegedly took place while she was a cabinet minister in Premier Jean Charest's government.
Normandeau is suing Cogeco for $772,500, claiming wrongful dismissal. A judge recently rejected a motion to have her salary restored pending the outcome of the civil suit.
Caron said he is not concerned about Normandeau's legal troubles.
"Justice takes its course," he said. "Me, I do programming, and I'm happy to have a girl like Nathalie on the air."
with files from Radio-Canada