The parents of six-year-old Falcon Heene wanted to make it rich, and thus they left the nation breathless with their "Balloon Boy" stunt in October. Rather than rich, however, they will be left $42,000 poorer, as they have been hit with a huge tab from local, state and federal agencies for their stunt.
The Heene family, with father Richard, 48 and mother Mayuki, 45, intended the October 15th hoax to publicize their family and perhaps and them a reality TV deal. Instead, they were found out, as authorities uncovered the hoax after interviewing the family.
In fact, it was Falcon himself who first spilled the beans, in an interview with CNN, when he said "You had said that we did this for a show." After that, media speculation, as well as a police investigation, skyrocketed.
However, the Heenes aren't ready to pay up, just yet. Their attorney, David Lane, said the couple wants receipts. "Let's see the bills. They're not paying anything until they see some receipts. If they've got records to show these are legitimate costs, then we can discuss it. But, first off, these people don't have that kind of money." Lane said he was e-mailed the amounts by the Larimer County DA's office.
The fact that they don't have the money won't sit well with the public. Many felt used after the hoax was revealed, and feel little sympathy for a family who was trying to use the nation's concern for their child as a way to become rich themselves.
The couple faces a sentencing hearing on Wednesday. Richard Heene has plead guilty to a felony charge of attempting to influence a public servant. Mayumi, a Japanese national, plead guilty to a misdemeanor offense of false reporting to authorities. The charges are punishable by jail terms, the couple is expected to receive probation.
Written by Michael Santo
HULIQ.com
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