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.

More from msnbc.com Clinic with two doors, a symbol of two-tier care Patients face bitter choice: Pay up or lose access First Read: ‘Not there yet’ on health bill, Reid says America’s RV industry no longer running on empty On Twitter: Breaking news updates | Weird and wild

MORE FROM CRIME & COURTS

Crime & courts Section Front

Tracking tech-savvy predators gets trickier   Official: Teen killed by NYPD was shot 11 times Lawyer: Hasan ‘has no sensation’ below chest 2 dead after ‘random’ Ore. traffic shooting Cops: Man killed over NYC subway seat Lethal injection creator fine with 1 drug in Ohio Student beating may be tied to Facebook Judge keeps Hasan confined until trial Crime & courts Section Front   Add Crime & courts headlines to your news reader: