Nathalie Normandeau heading back on air, despite legal woes

Nathalie Normandeau, the former deputy premier now facing several corruption-related criminal charges, will be returning to Quebec airwaves this fall.

• Nathalie Normandeau: Rise and fall of a political star

BLVD 102,1, a Quebec City radio station owned by LeclercCommunication, told Radio-Canada on Thursday thatNormandeau will take up hosting duties beginning Sept. 6.

"It's excellent news for our company," saidDan 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-hostinga popular radio program onFM 93 owned by the rival CogecoMedia when she was arrested in March.

She was fired after being charged withconspiracy, corruption, breach of trust and bribery for incidents that allegedly took place while she was a cabinet minister in Premier Jean Charest'sgovernment.

Normandeau is suing Cogecofor$772,500, claimingwrongful dismissal. A judge recently rejected a motion to have her salary restored pending the outcome of the civil suit.

• Nathalie Normandeau sues Cogeco for wrongful dismissal

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."