Heene's Motivation: 2012 Apocalypse

Flight delays at Denver airport during caper could result in fines

(NEWSER) - The Federal Aviation Administration is the latest agency to start its own investigation of last week’s Colorado balloon circus, with authorities looking into delays at Denver International Airport during the craft’s flight. And while local law enforcement wants criminal charges against the Heene family, any FAA violations would most likely draw fines or civil penalties, a rep tells the Coloradoan. More»

Internet yields veritable treasure trove of Balloon Boy family background

(NEWSER) - Richard Heene wanted to make his family famous, so it's no surprise that the Internet yields a wide variety of background info on the balloon boy dad—from the hilarious (Heene wearing a bra) to the not-so-hilarious (former run-ins with the law). Read on for more:

• TMZ unearthed two audio gems: Theme songs Heene wrote for shows he cooked up in 2005, "The Psyience Detective" ("Tune into the show that's really effective/Watch Richard Heene—Science Detective!") and "The Contractor" ("If you need it built or fixed/There's just one man to pick/That's Richard Heene—contractor!").

Unnamed outlet blurs entertainment-news lines, says Alderden

(NEWSER) - A shady TV operation may have already paid the Heenes for its balloon boy stunt, the Colorado sheriff investigating the case has indicated. The Los Angeles Times is reporting that the unnamed outlet paid the family for the launch and may be complicit in the hoax. An agreement from the media operation to pay the Heenes was found during a police search of the family's home, according to the New York Daily News. More»

'My dad can really yell,' son told her

(NEWSER) - The "swapped wife" who lived with the Balloon Boy's family as part of a TV reality program described dad Richard Heene as a mad scientist with a short fuse. Sheree Silver said Heene screamed at her, and son Bradford said: "My dad can really yell, can't he?" Silver doesn't believe Heene was capable of physical abuse, People reports. Colorado police, however, revealed that they tried to convince Heene's wife to move into a shelter after a a domestic violence call in February. More»

Lawyer says stunt has turned into a "nightmare for the family."

(NEWSER) - Richard and Mayumi Heene are likely regretting the hoax they staged using their 6-year-old son and a balloon: With criminal charges looming and public opinion turning against them, the family feels “under siege,” their lawyer said today. The FAA has opened an investigation into the incident; it has jurisdiction because the hoax caused delays in flights out of Denver International. Local police will probably bring charges next week, USA Today reports. More»