QUEBEC -- Lawyers in the fraud case of former Quebec deputy premier Nathalie Normandeau and her co-accused say their preliminary hearing could last up to six weeks.
Normandeau and six others are charged with conspiracy, corruption, breach of trust and fraud.
Police allege they were involved in a scheme in which political financing and gifts were exchanged for lucrative government contracts between 2000 and 2012.
Crown and defence lawyers proposed the timeline in a Quebec City courtroom this morning, although the judge in the case said he was surprised the process could not be completed in four weeks.
The seven accused were arrested in mid-March and have pleaded not guilty to all charges.
In July, lawyers for Normandeau told a judge they intend to argue at the hearing there isn't enough evidence to justify a trial.
Normandeau held senior positions in Jean Charest's Liberal cabinet as well as being deputy premier between 2007 and 2011.
