Balloon Boy Gossip

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at The Hollywood Gossip!

What would this traditional holiday be without family, food, football and reflection upon the things we appreciate most in life - in the case of THG, that means some of the turkeys we had the privilege of covering this year.

With that said, we present our Top 10 Turkeys of 2009 ...

10. Kanye West and Richard Heene (tie). Perhaps it's unfair to include him by virtue of one incident, but Kanye's hijacking of Taylor Swift's VMA speech was an all-timer. He's almost as full of hot air as Richard Heene's invention.

9. The Kardashians. Pregnancies. Breakups. Marriages. Reality shows. Twitter accounts. Blogs. So many Kardashians, so few ways to escape them.

8. Miley Cyrus. Whether she's grinding on stripper poles, angering Asians, making up her own controversies or deleting her Twitter, the teen can be a bad influence.

7. Tila Tequila. A late entry to the list thanks to her ustream rant. There's no PR stunt she won't stoop to, or article of clothing she won't remove, to get attention. 

6. Spencer Pratt. 2008's top turkey staged two weddings, caused an epic fiasco on I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here, pimped his own wife to Playboy and pretended to get a vasectomy on The Hills. For him, a relatively tame year.

Sorry, Spencer Pratt. You're only our sixth biggest turkey this year.

5. Sarah Palin and Levi Johnston (tie). One's a possible 2012 presidential candidate, the other the 19-year-old unwed father of her grandson. Both have gone rogue (one baring all in Playgirl, the other in a book by that name). Neither shuts up.

4. Perez Hilton. Talk about a fowl human being. With every ounce of fame the celeb gossip magnate garners, the more his own celebrity goes to his head and the more damage he does to his own causes. That will.i.am fight won't be the last.

3. Dr. Conrad Murray. Worst. Doctor. Ever.

2. Carrie Prejean. The dethroned Miss California became a phenomenon after voicing her opposition to gay marriage. She went on to become a self-serving, hypocritical, lying solo sex tape star who throws hissy fits on Larry King.

1. Jon Gosselin. No explanation required. When you're talking about turkeys, there's the Ed Hardy-wearing d-bag and there's everyone else playing for second.

The biggest turkey of the year, ladies and gentlemen. Need we say more?

Worst parents ever Richard and Mayumi Heene have officially pleaded guilty to a felony and misdemeanor charge, respectively, stemming from the now-infamous Balloon Boy hoax that shocked and appalled the world last month.

A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for December 23.

Appearing in a Ft. Collins, Colo., courtroom Friday, the Heenes admitted concocting and lying about son Falcon's fake "flight" aboard a saucer-shaped balloon.

"This is designed to keep the family together," says Richard's attorney David Lane. The couple's kids "seem like happy, well-adjusted kids," says Lane. "[They have] huddled together as a family. These are well cared for, well-loved kids."

A subdued Richard Heene pleaded guilty to a felony charge of attempting to influence a public servant. He could face 90 days in jail and a $500,000 fine.

A photo of Richard Heene where he belongs: A police station.

He also may be responsible for restitution, at leads $62,000 more. If the worst dad ever does go to jail, it certainly won't be for as long as some might like.

Mayumi Heene pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of false reporting to authorities, which she admitted in an affidavit. She could face up to 60 days.

Richard Heene also requested that bond be modified so he can seek employment next week in New York and California. Who would employ this loser?

Lane declined to discuss it, but said: "Richard can't own a firearm [as a felon], but other than that he is a free person to do whatever any free person does."

Might he profit from the hoax? Rest assured, ladies and gentlemen: "Colorado has a statute that prohibits him from profiting from wrongdoing," says Lane.

Serves him right. Sucker.

Richard and Mayumi Heene will plead guilty to orchestrating the Balloon Boy hoax in Larimer County, Colorado court Friday, according to attorney David Lane.

Mayumi Heene will plead guilty to false reporting to police, a Class 3 misdemeanor (the lowest under Colorado law) with a stipulated sentence of probation.

Richard Heene, the "mastermind" behind the pathetic stunt, will also plead guilty to charges of attempting to influence a public servant, a Class 4 felony.

The prosecutor has stipulated to a sentence of probation. The stipulations carry the possibility of up to 90 days in jail for Richard and 60 for Mayumi.

Analysts say the deal makes sense for both sides, given the cost of a trial and that Mayumi, a Japanese citizen, faced deportation if convicted of a felony.

Of course, the judge doesn't have to accept the deal and is allowed to alter the terms. While rare, the level of outrage in the case could prompt it here.

Still no word on whether the Heenes are going to pay any restitution for the costs of the Balloon Boy hoax, but you can be sure that will come up in court.

The two were investigated for reporting their six-year-old son, Falcon Heene, drifted away on a homemade balloon that broke loose from tethers in October.

That set off a frenzy among police, firefighters, National Guard and media as the UFO-shaped balloon hurtled 50 miles across the northern Colorado sky.

The balloon eventually crashed into a field and authorities discovered it empty, sparking fears the boy had fallen out until he was found safe at home.

The Heenes publicly denied any hoax, but as suspicion mounted, Mayumi admitted to an investigator that the balloon was released intentionally and that the couple knew Falcon was hiding in the attic the whole time and wasn't on board.

According to an affidavit she signed, Mayumi Heene said the PR stunt was intended to make the family "more marketable for future media interest" and that the three boys had been instructed to lie to authorities and the media.

That about sums it up. These are pretty much the worst human beings imaginable. You know it's bad when even this guy is hating on you ...

Kanye is unimpressed with the Balloon Boy hoax. [Art by imaletyoufinish.com]

Balloon Boy's dad is about to get popped by the D.A.

Larimer County, Colo., investigators have presented their case to the District Attorney, meaning charges are imminent against masterminds (a misnomer if here there were one, as they are masterful at nothing) Mayumi and Richard Heene.

The District Attorney "will be making a charging decision as soon as we have had an opportunity to complete a careful review and analysis of this case."

Six-year-old Falcon Heene raised suspicions on CNN October 15 with his "for a show" comment, sparking debate over whether his parents really believed he crawled into a homemade balloon and drifted away. But that was just the beginning.

A search warrant released Friday revealed that Mayumi Heene confessed all.

Meanwhile, the Heenes and their three children are holed up in their Colorado home, where the front porch is dotted with flowers and messages of support.

What kind of idiots want to "support" these buffoons with anything but a kick in the pants, we have no idea, but it's nice that they have kind neighbors.

For the most part, the Heene family has kept a low profile since their ridiculous Balloon Boy hoax played out on national TV and was subsequently exposed.

After taking the family truck out for a short time, Richard Heene returned with his kids and hustled them inside the garage, said he was not talking to the press, and quickly shut the garage door," an eyewitness tells E! News.

"This happened in a span of 15 seconds."

Authorities say they won't be bringing any charges against the three minor Heenes, including Falcon Heene, the one whose disappearance was dramatically staged.

Richard and Mayumi aren't so lucky. They may face counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, attempting to influence a public servant and conspiracy.

We suppose being a liar and bad parent, and representing all that is soulless and wrong with America isn't a formal charge, but we'll settle for the above felonies.

Mayumi Heene, wife of Richard Heene and mother of "Balloon Boy" Falcon Heene, has confessed to lying to authorities and that the now-infamous October 15 incident was "intentional as a hoax," according to the Fort Collins Coloradoan.

The mother of the six-year-old temporarily believed to be hurtling into the heavens in a 20-foot Mylar balloon signed an affidavit that it was all staged.

In the affidavit, Mayumi Heene said she and her husband knew all along that Falcon was not on the balloon but rather hiding in the attic the whole time.

The motive for the hoax was to make their family, which appeared on Wife Swap and was angling for their own show "marketable for future media interest."

Even though Mayumi has confessed, Richard Heene's criminal fate is still "up in the air," according to a Denver defense attorney not involved with the case.

A week ago Thursday, viewers around the globe watched a saucer-shaped craft that was supposedly carrying Falcon Heene, who later came out of hiding.

Mayumi Heene, top left, told officers they planned the Balloon Boy hoax for two weeks, and not only that, they built the balloon specifically for the stunt.

She even admitted that both she and Richard Heene had instructed their three boys – Bradford, 10, Ryo, 8, and Falcon – to lie to authorities after the fact.

Falcon kinda blew it on CNN the night of, but nice try.

The Larimer County District Attorney could file formal charges against the Heenes at any time, including class four felonies: contributing to the delinquency of a minor, attempting to influence a public servant and conspiracy.

The charges, if they are filed, could bring 6-12 years in prison and fines up to $500,000. If convicted, they also could owe an unknown amount of restitution.

Declaring bankruptcy won't wash away debt owed to the rescuers that wasted hundreds of thousands to save Falcon: that cannot be discharged until paid.

Looks like if the Heenes were seeking fame and riches from this, they got it half right. Eh, not really, even the fame they achieved is entirely negative.

The 911 call made by Mayumi and Richard Heene Heene to Fort Collins, Colo., police during the original Balloon Boy hoax last week has been released.

Pretending to be distraught and worried about son Falcon Heene, Richard says he's sure his 6-year-old is in the balloon, pleading with the dispatcher:

"What do you do in a case like this? How the heck am I gonna get him down?"

Sickening what people will do and say for their 15 minutes.

These two should have taken some acting classes, as their attempts to act hysterical are mediocre at best, and their version of events is suspect.

Our favorite part? Richard Heene admitting he called the FAA before he called 911. Who would that occur to if this weren't an elaborate sham?

Listen to the 911 call by playing the video below ...

There are plenty of good fathers out there, and we laud their efforts. But unfortunately, some of the poorest ones have been dominating news cycles of late.

None garners headlines quite like Jon Gosselin. In the last six months, the Jon and Kate Plus 8 dad has gone through a ultimate midlife crisis like no other.

Before you just hand the Ed Hardy-wearing, mediocre skirt-chasing d-bag the title of Worst Father Ever, however, consider some of his recent competition.

There's Richard Heene, a.k.a. Balloon Boy's dad, who exploited his six-year-old, local law enforcement and the National Guard. All for his reality TV dream.

Then there's Michael Lohan, who's done time, failed to pay child support, and whose eldest train wreck is unlikely to survive too long the way she's going.

Who's the worst of the worst? There may be no right answer to that, but we leave it up to you to come as close as we can. Vote in the survey below!

Who's the worst dad?

Don't take it from THG - although it's so obvious that you very well could - just ask the L.A. Department of Children and Family Services or the people he shopped reality shows to long before he orchestrated the Balloon Boy hoax.

Richard Heene was reported to CFS by Matt Wineroth in March 2006 for an incident Heene claims Wineroth filed the "erroneous" report over in retaliation.

Retaliation for what? Matt Wineroth was arrested on suspicion of stealing computer records from Heene's company a few years prior. This dude is so shady.

At the end of that drama, Heene's request for a restraining order against Wineroth was eventually dismissed because Richard himself was a no-show in court.

Meanwhile, the CEO of a big production company says Heene lied his way through Hollywood hocking a show that could have put his kids in harm's way.

Tom Forman of Relativity Real and creator of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, says he saw the Heene family on Wife Swap and was "intrigued and aghast."

Pretty much sums up the Balloon Boy saga overall.

Richard Heene is full of more hot air than his flying contraption.

Forman says he spoke with Heene on the phone a month ago to discuss Heene's idea for a reality show about his family - including small kids chasing storms.

Forman says Heene gave his word that he had not pitched the show to anyone else. Turns out, just days later, Forman's employees were in a meeting with TLC about another show and they raised the Heene same reality TV show proposal.

The TLC folks said not only had Heene pitched the show to them a week earlier, he flew to L.A. to personally make the sell, totally playing multiple sides.

Forman says Heene is a "liar" and told him never to contact them again.

Richard Heene and accomplices in the Balloon Boy hoax are looking at felony charges for wasting everyone's time and hundreds of thousands of dollars.

It kind makes you want to throw up, too.

The Heene family, accused of perpetrating the Balloon Boy hoax to promote a reality show, are looking at some serious criminal charges this week or next.

The couple's lawyer, David Lane, expects charges to be filed by Wednesday, and says the Heenes will themselves in to avoid the spectacle of a public arrest.

Ironic that Richard Heene does not want a public spectacle this time.

Sheriff Jim Alderden wants to charge Richard and Mayumi Heene with felonies and says the hoax was two weeks in the planning and a marketing ploy.

They're also hunting for any accomplices who helped the Heenes.

"We certainly know that there's a conspiracy between the husband and wife, and you've probably seen some of the e-mails and some of the things on the Internet suggesting that there may be other conspirators involved," Alderden said.

A man named Robert Thomas claims he worked for Richard Heene and helped plan the Balloon Boy stunt. Police are also investigating an unnamed media outlet that agreed to pay money to the Heenes with regard to the incident.

Richard Heene could be out many thousands of dollars before this is over.

Also helping the cops' case? A profile Heene posted on RealityWanted.com, hocking himself to casting agents and producers as the next big reality star.

Heene created his profile on September 28, 2009.

While Richard describes himself as a scientist, a contractor, high school educated, married, with children, male, and straight, he didn't make a specific pitch for any specific show. Could that be because his big idea was this hoax?

Also, police have learned that Richard Heene has a criminal record in L.A. and was sentenced to jail in April 1997 and charged with misdemeanor vandalism, vehicle tampering, and disturbing the peace. The victim's name is not known.

The national media frenzy began last Thursday afternoon when Falcon Heene, 6, was believed to be carried off inside a giant, homemade helium balloon. 

The National Guard tried to rescue Falcon via helicopter and a search was conducted after the empty balloon landed - under the assumption he fell out.

Turns out Falcon was at his house the whole time. Rumors of a hoax popped up 10 seconds later, and Falcon basically confirmed as much on Larry King.

Richard Heene orchestrated the whole Balloon Boy hoax last week and had planned it for some time, according to authorities, who plan to charge him with a crime.

No sentence is long enough.

Larimer County Sheriff Jim Alderden says the runaway balloon incident sparking a massive rescue effort for Falcon Heene was a "hoax" and a "publicity stunt."

The purpose? To promote a reality show.

Not that he has one. He just wants one.

Alderden says he will file charges against Richard and Mayumi Heene soon, one of which would be contributing to the delinquency of a minor, which is a felony.

The other charges could be conspiracy, false reporting and attempt to influence a law enforcement officer. The most significant charges they're facing could result in a maximum sentence of six years in prison and a $500,000 fine.

Falcon Heene, a.k.a. Balloon Boy, with insane father Richard Heene.

Falcon Heene, who pretty much confirmed the hoax on CNN the night of, and his siblings will probably not face charges, Alderden says, because of their age. Child Protective Services has been notified and will be conducting an investigation.

Authorities say the Balloon Boy hoax was a "planned event for two weeks." A dude who worked for Richard Heene also said yesterday he helped plan the stunt.

If the charges do go forward, they will seek restitution for all the expenses the county incurred. He doesn't believe anyone would do time because of the overcrowding situation in Colorado and because it would be a first offense.

He did not set a time frame for when arrests would be made.

The sheriff even got in a good dig at Richard Heene, who he is no fan of: "His education level is only high school ... he may be nutty, but he's not a professor."