On Friday, Richard and Mayumi Heene ended their charade that has come to be known as the “Balloon Boy Hoax” and pleaded guilty. They admitted in court to misleading deputies in an elaborate effort to hopefully resolve financial problems and land a reality TV show about their family.
According to the court affidavit, when the Heene’s lied about their 6-year-old son, Falcon, being adrift in the balloon-like contraption flying high over the plains of Colorado, “they did so to influence public officials (law enforcement and rescue personnel) to initiate a search-and-rescue mission which in turn would attract media attention.” Richard and Mayumi Heene, who first met in an acting class, played the role of their lives in an attempt to fool authorities and hopefully turn the high profile situation into a personal goldmine. But their plan began to unravel when young Falcon Heene admitted on live television the entire plan was all “done for the show.”
Both Richard and Mayumi Heene originally faced felony charges for defrauding law enforcement. And although Mayumi Heene is in the United States legally, she is a Japanese citizen and would have been deported over such felony charges. So it was in the best interest of the Heene’s to strike a deal, which they were able to work out late last week. In lieu of jail time, the Heene’s will face probation, and may be forced to repay some or all of the $62,000. it cost local authorities in search and rescue efforts related to the hoax.
