It appears to be a grab, in round two, for free publicity. After the Heene family lied to the nation and law enforcement -- through the claim their son had floated away in a helium balloon that hit 7,000 feet -- it's released a video of plans to auction off the infamous, inflatable balloon. The cause: to raise money for Japanese earthquake and tsunami relief -- or to raise awareness of the family for when they want to sell their story in 2013.
TMZ.com has posted the video where Richard and Mayumi Heene say they'll work with California lawyer Perry Rausher on the auction for the balloon -- the one they claimed held their son in 2009.
Hmm...think they're hoping that video will go viral?
The Heene family wasted time, energy and resources of emergency crews and law enforcement. The mother, Mayumi Heene, ended up serving 20 days in jail for filing a false report. The Heene's also got their kid in on the deal, Falcon Heene -- the one supposedly sucked away with the infamous balloon -- convincing their own son to lie to cops and the nation. A worldwide audience was captivated by the bizarre incident on October 15, Heene’s homemade helium balloon reaching 7,000 feet over eastern Colorado.
As it turns out, Heene wanted a reality TV show. A guy by the name of Robert Thomas came forward, a student at Colorado State University and self-described "web entrepreneur" who said he'd stumbled across Richard Heene on YouTube and that Heene had a taste for celebrity after appearing on "Wife Swap" twice -- that Heene wanted nothing more than to get a reality series. Per an interview with Gawker.com, Thomas claims Heene told him: "And why are we the most recognized Wife Swap family and episode? It's because of the controversy. I don't care what people say about me as a person, but the fact of the matter is that they know who I am."
After being exposed in the "Balloon Boy" lie, the Heene family appeared on multiple follow-up news shows and media interviews including an infamous episosde of 'The Today Show' -- where "Balloon Boy" Falcon Heene throws up on live television. It must be hard to live with Richard Heene.
The family got a $42,000 fine in addition to jail sentences for the adults. Richard Heene ended up serving 30 days in jail for a felony count of attempting to influence a public servant -- Heene claiming he only entered a guilty plea to avoid deportation of his wife, Mayumi, back to Japan. Richard Heene appeared on the news stating that "the Sheriff is a liar," making the claim that he's "being persecuted" and stating: "I've done absolutely nothing wrong to deserve this."
Perhaps the Heene's believe the nation's forgotten the terms of their probation -- pretty much around the corner, stating the family can profit from its story in 2013. Apparently now that "story" includes helping the people of Japan.
How fitting -- hot air selling something filled with hot air.