'Balloon boy' parents 'to be hit with $42,000 fine for flying saucer stunt'

Richard Heene, pictured with six-year-old Falcon, will be sentenced over the hoax in Colorado today

The parents who staged the 'balloon boy' hoax have reportedly been hit by a $US42,000 (£26,290) bill for sending authorities on a wild goose chase by claiming their son was trapped in a home-made flying saucer.

Colorado couple Richard and Mayumi Heene are due to be sentenced today over the October stunt, which saw them fabricate a story about their son floating off in a runaway balloon to gain publicity.

A worldwide TV audience watched with baited breath in the belief that Wife Swap contestant Richard Heene’s son, Falcon, was on board the runaway balloon - only to discover that he had been hiding at home in the attic the whole time.

Richard and Mayumi Heene both face the possibility of jail time, and are expected to be hit with a hefty fine to cover the costs of the massive search and rescue operation.

According to Denverpost.com, the couple have been hit with a $US42,000 bill.
The Heenes' attorney, David Lane, said the couple weren't ready to pay up 'until they see some receipts'.

He said Mr Heene would today 'beg that the judge not send his wife to jail.'

Ahead of the sentencing, sheriff officials said the couple had acted alone in fabricating the story.

Police ruled out co-conspirators after seizing three computers, hard drives, video cameras and tapes from the Heene's Fort Collins home.

In a letter sent to Lane by the Larimer County district attorney's office, sheriff's officials estimate their department spent about $8,000 in overtime.

Another $13,500 was spent by law enforcement agencies from the nearby communities of Greeley and Weld County, along with Colorado State University and the U.S. Forest Service, the letter said.


Millions of viewers were captivated by the flying saucer story, only to later discover it was a hoax
Two National Guard helicopters launched to track the craft and possibly attempt to rescue the couple's 6-year-old son cost about $16,000.

Also included in the estimate are $8,500 in damages to the field where the craft landed.
Mr Heene pleaded guilty last month to a felony count of falsely influencing the sheriff, while Mrs Heene pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of knowingly filing a false report with emergency services.
Under terms of the plea agreements, Richard Heene faces up to 90 days in jail, probation and a fine.

Mayumi Heene could get 60 days, likely to be served in a work-release program, and probation.


source: dailymail