Jean Charest said Thursday his former cabinet minister Tony Tomassi will have to defend himself in court.
The Quebec premier spoke Thursday for the first time about Tomassi, who was charged Tuesday with fraud and breach of trust.
"It's not in my hands anymore and neither should it be," said Charest. "It is extremely important for us to respect the process of law at this point."
Tomassi is accused of unlawfully using a credit card belonging to security firm BCIA to buy gasoline while he was the provincial family minister.
The company, which is now in bankruptcy protection, won $4 million in government contracts.
Last year, when the accusations were first made, Charest demanded Tomassi resign his post as the Liberal party's family minister.
He now sits as an independent.
If convicted, Tomassi could face up to five years in prison.
