UPDATED:
FORT COLLINS, Colo. (AP) — A prosecutor has urged a judge to give the man who carried out the balloon boy hoax the maximum punishment of 90 days behind bars.
The prosecutor says Richard Heene “wasted a lot of manpower and a lot of money in wanting to get himself some publicity.” He says a message needs to be sent to other self-promoters that they will be punished for orchestrating hoaxes.
Richard and Mayumi Heene pleaded guilty to charges that they carried out the balloon stunt in October to promote a reality TV show. They reported that their 6-year-old son was floating away in a helium balloon.
Richard Heene’s lawyer believes he should be spared jail time. Heene’s wife faces up to 60 days.
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