Balloon Boy's mom gets lawyered up

By NOELLE LEAVITT and CHUCK BENNETT

Last Updated: 11:26 AM, October 21, 2009

Posted: 5:06 AM, October 21, 2009

Balloon Boy's mom, Mayumi Heene, hired her own lawyer -- as a friend described her as a "slave" to an abusive husband.<p> </p><br> The lawyer, Lee Christian, met with Mayumi yesterday, then attempted to downplay speculation that her client is about to sell out her reality TV-obsessed hubby Richard Heene.<p> </p><br> "I don't do divorces," Christian told The Post. "I do criminal defense."<p> </p><br> Mayumi, 45, and Richard, 48, duped the world into believing their six-year-old son Falcon was floating away on a homemade balloon. Probers believe the couple, featured on the ABC show "Wife Swap," hatched the bizarre plot to score their own reality series.<p> </p><br> They are expected to be hit with felony conspiracy charges next week as the Federal Aviation Administration weighs civil penalties that up to $2 million.<p> </p><br> Mayumi has displayed a tough persona on TV. But her pal, Barbara Slusser, told ABC, "Whatever [her husband] says, goes. She's basically a slave. He kept her isolated and separated from everyone else."<p> </p><br>

Balloon Boy's mom, Mayumi Heene, hired her own lawyer -- as a friend described her as a "slave" to an abusive husband.

The lawyer, Lee Christian, met with Mayumi yesterday, then attempted to downplay speculation that her client is about to sell out her reality TV-obsessed hubby Richard Heene.

"I don't do divorces," Christian told The Post. "I do criminal defense."

Mayumi, 45, and Richard, 48, duped the world into believing their six-year-old son Falcon was floating away on a homemade balloon. Probers believe the couple, featured on the ABC show "Wife Swap," hatched the bizarre plot to score their own reality series.

REUTERS

Mayumi Heene, with her sons Bradford, center and Ryan, right.

They are expected to be hit with felony conspiracy charges next week as the Federal Aviation Administration weighs civil penalties that up to $2 million.

Mayumi has displayed a tough persona on TV. But her pal, Barbara Slusser, told ABC, "Whatever [her husband] says, goes. She's basically a slave. He kept her isolated and separated from everyone else."