Gaspé residents raising cash for charged former MNA Normandeau

Nathalie Normandeau testifies at the Charbonneau commission into corruption on Wednesday June 18, 2014

Residents of the Gaspé are leading a fundraising campaign to help pay for Nathalie Normandeau's legal fees.

The former deputy premier is one of half a dozen people charged with fraud, corruption, and conspiracy for allegedly exchanging political funding for government contracts between 2000 and 2012.

Normandeau was mayor of Maria, in the Gaspé, for three years before serving as the MNA for Bonaventure for 12 years.

Now two men, André Poirier and Fabrice Bourque, say she always put the region first, so they are trying to find people to support Normandeau.

They are soliciting donation of up to $1,000 to pay for the ex-MNA's defence fund.

Normandeau is also suing her former employer, FM93, for unlawful dismissal.

She was fired in March following her arrest.

With a file from The Canadian Press