Colo. balloon boy parents say they'll sell balloon

[June 02, 2011]  FORT COLLINS, Colo. (AP) -- The former Colorado couple that told authorities their son floated away in a helium balloon have made a video saying they'll auction off the inflatable to raise money for Japanese earthquake and tsunami relief.

TMZ.com posted the video in which Richard and Mayumi Heene (HEE'-nee) say they'll work with California lawyer Perry Rausher on the auction. Rausher confirmed to the Coloradoan he is working with the Heenes.

The Heenes' son wasn't inside the balloon when it floated away in 2009. Mayumi Heene served 20 days in jail for filing a false report. Richard Heene served 30 days in jail for a felony count of attempting to influence a public servant.

Terms of their probation say they can't profit from their story until 2013.

[Associated Press]

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