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U.S. seeks forfeiture from Iran foundation

NEW YORK, Nov. 12 (UPI) -- The U.S. Justice Department moved Thursday to seize assets owned by two entities with ties to Iran, including a 36-story Manhattan office building.

Federal prosecutors in New York had already filed a forfeiture complaint in 2008 seeking Assa Corp.'s share of 650 Fifth Avenue Co. In an amended complaint Thursday, they added the Alavi Foundation's share of the partnership, formed to own the building.

The department also began actions against property in Maryland, Virginia, Texas and California, CNN reported. The targets include three mosques and land in the Virginia suburbs of Washington.

The complaint filed by the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York alleges the Alavi Foundation laundered money for the Iranian government. U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said the Alavi Foundation is a successor to the Pahlavi Foundation, which was founded by the Shah and taken over by the current government.

"As today's complaint alleges in great detail, the Alavi Foundation has effectively been a front for the government of Iran. For two decades, the Alavi Foundation's affairs have been directed by various Iranian officials, including Iranian ambassadors to the United Nations, in violation of a series of American laws," Bharara said.

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RNC health insurance covers abortions

WASHINGTON, Nov. 12 (UPI) -- The health insurance plan available to staffers of the U.S. Republican National Committee covers elective abortions, records show.

A spokeswoman for the committee and other officials said Thursday the policy would be changed, Politico reported. Gail Gitcho said the current policy, purchased from Cigna, has been in effect since 1991.

The Republican platform calls most abortions "a fundamental assault on human life." A majority of House Republicans voted for the Stupak amendment to the health-care bill that bars the use of federal funds for abortion.

The RNC reported to the Federal Election Commission that Cigna is its health insurance carrier and two sales agents said the committee did not exercise the opt out for abortion the company offers, Politico said.

A spokeswoman for the National Republican Campaign Committee said the group's insurance only covers abortions if a woman's life is at risk.

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Parents of 'balloon boy' strike plea deal

BOULDER, Colo., Nov. 12 (UPI) -- The parents of the "balloon boy" will plead guilty to creating a hoax that their son flew off in a helium balloon from their Colorado home, an attorney said.

The father, Richard Heene, surrendered to Larimer County sheriff's deputies Thursday, the Fort Collins Coloradoan reported. He was released on $5,000 bond after being officially charged with a felony count of attempting to influence a public servant.

Heene and his wife, Mayumi, are to plead guilty Friday -- she to an offense of false reporting to authorities, a low-level misdemeanor.

Both are expected to receive probation but he could have faced a maximum of six years in prison and a fine of up to $500,000 and she could have faced up to six months in county jail and a fine of up to $750.

A threat of deportation for Mayumi Heene, a Japanese citizen, was a factor in reaching the deal, CNN reported.

"Mayumi Heene is a citizen of Japan. As such, any felony conviction or certain misdemeanors would result in her deportation, even though her husband and children are Americans," Richard Heene's attorney said in a statement. "It is supremely ironic that law enforcement has expressed such grave concern over the welfare of the children, but it was ultimately the threat of taking the children's mother from the family and deporting her to Japan which fueled this deal."

A large silver balloon broke free from its moorings in the Heenes' yard Oct. 16 and floated over Colorado for hours. Mayumi Heene called 911 and said the couple feared their 6-year-old son, Falcon, was inside the craft. The story captured the attention of millions of people across the United States, as military aircraft tracked the balloon in the air and rescuers chased it on the ground.

Mayumi Heene later admitted the event was a hoax and that Falcon was safe, hiding in the garage attic the entire time, authorities said.

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Charles, Camilla wrap up Canada visit

OTTAWA, Nov. 12 (UPI) -- British Prince Charles and Duchess Camilla planted an oak in Ottawa Thursday, and then flew back to England, ending an 11-day visit to Canada.

The prince inspected members of the Royal Canadian Dragoons and the royal couple arranged a $250,000 donation to a soldiers' charity in their name in lieu of receiving an official gift from Canada, the Toronto Star reported.

They also met with a group of teenage students, the BBC reported. Governor General Michaelle Jean and Prime Minister Stephen Harper saw Charles and Camilla off at Ottawa's airport following a military ceremony, the British broadcaster said.

The royals attracted some protesters during their stay in Canada and Thursday was no different. They were heckled at the tree-planting ceremony by a presenter from a political satire show dressed as the TV character Xena Warrior Princess. A member of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals stood at the airport gates dressed as a seal to highlight the group's anti-fur campaign. Camilla attracted criticism last week for wearing a rabbit fur stole.