Balloon boy bill due

LARIMER COUNTY, Colo., Dec. 23 (UPI) -- The couple who claimed their son had been carried off on a 50 mile balloon ride last October face sentencing in a Colorado court Wednesday for what turned out to be a massive hoax.

Richard and Mayumi Heene are also being hit with a $42,000 bill for the rescue effort from Larimer County. The hoax attracted massive media attention and national interest as authorities tracked the escaped home-made balloon.

Richard Heene said 6-year-old Falcon Heene was missing and must be in the balloon. He was later found asleep in their garage loft. Heene seems to have been angling to get on a TV reality show.

Richard Heene pleaded guilty to a felony charge of attempting to influence a public servant. His wife pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of false reporting.

Their lawyer said that the prosecution agreed to a plea deal in which Richard Heene could be jailed for 90 days and Mayumi for 60 days followed by probation.

Authorities are convinced the couple acted alone. A search of the Heenes' computers and video footage revealed no evidence of co-conspirators, media-related or otherwise.