PELADEAU PLEADS GUILTY TO THREE COUNTS OF DRUG TRAFFICKING

Heiress to Write Book About Chaotic Life

Anne-Marie Peladeau, thin and pale, pleaded guilty yesterday to three
charges of drug trafficking and is free on bail until January, during
which time she plans to begin a book about her chaotic life.

Peladeau, the daughter of the late media mogul Pierre Peladeau, was
arrested last week at her Garnier St. apartment in the Rosemont
district after police received an anonymous phone call saying there
was a lot of "coming and going" at the building.

Police officers staked out the place and finally, on July 26, an
undercover officer asked Peladeau whether she had any drugs. She
replied she didn't have any, but knew where to get some.

She then took the officer to an apartment on des Erables St., where
Peladeau's friend Marianne Matte sold the agent small amounts of
crack, cocaine and heroin for $80.

Matte, 39, also pleaded guilty yesterday to seven counts of
trafficking and possession. Both women were freed on bail with
conditions and are to return to court Jan. 16 for sentencing.

Peladeau, 42, has become a familiar face in the prisoner's dock in
recent years, and was on probation at the time of her latest arrest.

Although she was supposed to be getting therapy to tackle the causes
of her drug addiction, Peladeau looked worse than ever yesterday. Her
usual beige turtleneck hung on her thin body, her cheeks were sunken
and her hair - dyed black - appeared unwashed.

A Quebec Court judge agreed to give her a break as long as she sought
help after she pleaded guilty in December to four theft-related
charges, one count of obstructing justice and another of attempting to
obstruct justice.

In March, she was arrested for shoplifting at a St. Denis St.
bookstore. That same month, she was placed on two years' probation
after being convicted of trying to falsify a urine test while at a
drug rehabilitation centre.

In October 2006, Peladeau admitted to the court that between the media
limelight and her family's estrangement, she has had a difficult time
fighting her 25-year battle with drug addiction.

She told the court at her bail hearing Tuesday that she plans to live
in the Eastern Townships with a freelance journalist, who is helping
her write her book.