Pubdate: Thu, 16 Aug 2007 Source: Montreal Gazette (CN QU) Copyright: 2007 The Gazette, a division of Southam Inc. Contact: http://www.canada.com/montreal/montrealgazette/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/274 Author: Sue Montgomery, The Gazette Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin) 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. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake