Balloon Episode a Publicity Stunt?

[Dgstan]

But wait, there's more:

25-year-old researcher Robert Thomas reveals to Gawker how earlier this year he and Richard Heene drew up a master plan to generate a massive media controversy using a weather balloon. To get famous, of course.

Thomas spent several months earlier this year working on developing a reality science TV show to pitch to networks - the "show," Thomas says, that [son] Falcon was referring to when he told CNN "We did it for the show." Among the ideas that Heene, Thomas and two others came up with for their reality TV proposal — and one that he says most intrigued Heene — involved a weather balloon modified to look like a UFO which they would launch in an attempt to drum up media interest in both the Heene family and the series he was desperate to get on the air.

http://gawker.com/5383858/exclusive-i-helped-richard-heene-plan-a-balloon-hoax

[Rosethorn2]

this looked like horse dookey from the get got....for one thing, a REAL parent would not let this happen....second, the LAST call was to the police....sorry, if my 6 yo took off in a balloon (and how did they not stop it by grabbing the tethers?), the FIRST people I would call would be cops...NOT a news copter....CAUBS.........and a waste of taxpayer's money.....

[JDinSD77]

How bout that Sheriff that initially said nothing was fishy at all. After spending much time there in Fort Collins I can tell you there's some of the nicest people you're ever going to meet. I guess they aren't like the rest of us in easily seeing the scam that this was.

[TheGoose]

never doubt da ......|lie|


By DAN ELLIOTT, Associated Press Writer Dan Elliott, Associated Press Writer – 19 mins ago

FORT COLLINS, Colo. – Authorities are pursuing criminal charges in the case of a boy who vanished into his parents' garage while the world feared he was trapped aboard a helium balloon — prompting speculation of a hoax.

yahoo.com

[MaryS]

This article from the Denver Post includes a video of of a news conference with the sheriff. On thing I haven't seen elsewhere -- a physicist did calculations from the actual measurements of the balloon (rather than the inaccurate information provided by the dad) and determined that the balloon couldn't even have taken off with Falcon on board.

http://www.denverpost.com/ci_13589767

Fort Collins parents face felony charges in "balloon boy" case
By Kirk Mitchell
The Denver Post
POSTED: 10/18/2009 11:38:52 AM MDT
UPDATED: 10/18/2009 03:30:21 PM MDT

FORT COLLINS — The parents of a 6-year-old boy they claimed had stowed away aboard an untethered balloon face felony charges for what sheriff's investigators now say was clearly a publicity stunt.

"It has been a hoax," said Larimer County Sheriff Jim Alderden. "It was a publicity stunt done with hopes of better maneuvering themselves for a reality TV show."

Richard Heene and his wife, Mayumi, are under investigation on suspicion of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, trying to influence a public official and providing false information to authorities, Alderden said.

They face up to six years in prison and a fine of as much as $500,000 on each of two felony counts.

The sheriff's office could also seek restitution for the costs associated with the search-and-rescue operations launched Thursday morning when the Heenes reported their helium-filled experimental aircraft had come untethered and flown away with Falcon stowed in a compartment meant to hold batteries.
The air and land pursuit covered 50 miles across three counties until the craft set down in a farm field near a reservoir north of Denver International Airport. Falcon appeared a few hours later, and his parents reported that he had been hiding in the attic of the garage at their Fort Collins home. Deputies had twice searched the home.

Investigators also are trying to determine whether other co-conspirators, including employees of reality TV shows, knew of the hoax beforehand. They also are determining whether the family violated federal laws.

Alderden said his office asked child protection officials last night investigate whether Falcon and his brothers, Ryo, 8, and Bradford, 10, are in danger.

[Dgstan]

"They face up to six years in prison and a fine of as much as $500,000 on each of two felony counts."

That's great. I originally heard all they could charge them with was filing a false police report which is a low-level misdemeanor. Also like to hear that they may get charged for the rescue operation. I think they should also add a provision that any future earnings from any reality show goes to charity because you know this idiot will get a show of some sort at some point. They need to set an example of this guy. There are too many wackos doing these type of idiotic stunts just for the publicity. I'm thinking Octomom.

If the balloon landed near the Denver airport, there must be some FAA regulations they violated too.

[Vince P]

never doubt da <img src="/images/chat/Goosefly1-animated.gif">......<img src="/images/chat/Fact.jpg">


By DAN ELLIOTT, Associated Press Writer Dan Elliott, Associated Press Writer – 19 mins ago

FORT COLLINS, Colo. – Authorities are pursuing criminal charges in the case of a boy who vanished into his parents' garage while the world feared he was trapped aboard a helium balloon — prompting speculation of a hoax.

yahoo.com

Goose,

This is BS. I was in the chatroom 24/7 and never saw you post anything of the like. Not sure how much you paid Mary S to forge that. Matter of fact, here's my archive of what was said, so quit the tall tales.

[10/15/2009 02:17:00 pm] theGOOSE: I feel horrible for that little boy - I saw him in that balloon and knew it wasn't a good idea.
[10/15/2009 02:27:09 pm] theGOOSE: I pray they find him....this is no joking matter.

[MaryS]

Goose,

This is BS. I was in the chatroom 24/7 and never saw you post anything of the like. Not sure how much you paid Mary S to forge that. Matter of fact, here's my archive of what was said, so quit the tall tales.

[10/15/2009 02:17:00 pm] theGOOSE: I feel horrible for that little boy - I saw him in that balloon and knew it wasn't a good idea.
[10/15/2009 02:27:09 pm] theGOOSE: I pray they find him....this is no joking matter.

Of course, like much/most/all of what Vince posts, this comes from a non-parallel universe.

Actual transcript from this universe:

[10/15/2009 03:17:57 pm] theGOOSE: Parents sound like real winners...NOTTTTTTTTTTT
[10/15/2009 03:15:25 pm] oltimer40: yeah ...
[10/15/2009 03:15:00 pm] theGOOSE: like i said-PUBLICITY STUNT....IPSO

[10/15/2009 02:23:09 pm] theGOOSE: publicity stunt????

[Lurker]

Thanks for the documentation, afterall it is mid-October, bout time he got something right this year, ipso!

[MaryS]

IMO, one of the better articles about the hoax

http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and- ... riginalsR1