Balloon Boy’s Parents Deflated: May Be Fined $46,000, Sent To Jail (Update)

Since mid-October, you have probably been wondering: Balloon Boy’s parents Richard and Mayumi Heene, what ever happened to them? Are they rich and famous yet? Answer: no.

Well, in fact, their sentencing is today, and they could wind up the exact opposite of rich and famous: fined $46,000, and in jail.

Take it away, Associated Press:

Richard and Mayumi Heene are scheduled to be sentenced Wednesday after pleading guilty to charges that they carried out the stunt in October to promote a reality TV show. The husband faces up to 90 days and jail, and the wife faces up to 60 days …

… The Heenes also face possible restitution for search and rescue costs. It wasn’t immediately known if District Judge Stephen Schapanski would take up the issue at Wednesday’s hearing.

The Larimer County District Attorney’s Office estimates total costs at $46,000, according to [Richard Heene's attorney David] Lane.

One heartening finding, via the Denver Post: ”The Larimer County Sheriff’s Office said Monday it appears the Heenes acted alone in the publicity stunt and that no media outlets conspired or made promises.”

So: Richard Heene — who called the media about his son’s ‘disappearance’ before he called 911 — hijacked the news cycle and spent tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars out of his own ambition and pluck.

Bon voyage, 2009!

Update: Yup: 30 days in jail for Richard Heene, 20 days in jail for Mayume Heene, restitutions TBD. (via LA Times)

(image via the Houston Chronicle)

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