Prosecutor to investigate balloon boy sheriff

updated 2:44 p.m. ET Oct. 28, 2009

FORT COLLINS, Colo. - A special prosecutor has been appointed to investigate allegations the Larimer County sheriff violated privacy laws in the case of the runaway balloon that was believed to be carrying a young boy.

Richard and Mayumi Heene are accused of lying to authorities for saying their 6-year-old son Falcon was on board a balloon launched from their backyard. Larimer County prosecutors are weighing whether to file criminal charges against them.

The Larimer County DA's office said Wednesday that the Boulder DA's office will look into claims from Richard Heene's lawyer that Sheriff Jim Alderden broke privacy laws by talking about the involvement of child welfare workers in the case.

Heene's lawyer, David Lane, announced Tuesday that a special prosecutor had been appointed.

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