Enlarge By David Zalubowski, AP Comments made by Falcon Heene during a CNN interview stoked the idea the family could have planned the balloon incident as a hoax to get attention. FORT COLLINS, Colo.  Authorities investigating the family accused of carrying out the balloon boy hoax to promote a reality show said Monday they don't expect to bring possible charges until at least next week. Larimer County sheriff's spokeswoman Eloise Campanella said Monday that investigators don't anticipate finishing their reports and presenting them to the district attorney's office until next week. It will then be up to prosecutors to decide whether to file charges against Richard Heene and his wife, Mayumi. Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Mike Fergus confirmed Monday the agency had opened an investigation into the incident but declined to provide any details. "Once that (investigation) opens up, mum's the word until the investigation is complete," Fergus said. The balloon's flight prompted the FAA to suspend northbound departures from Denver International Airport for about 20 minutes on Thursday afternoon, said airport spokesman Chuck Cannon. Meanwhile the lawyer for the couple said Monday that he expects authorities to bring charges against his clients. Heene family attorney David Lane, a high profile Denver defense attorney, made the media rounds Monday morning discussing his clients' case and their willingness to turn themselves in to authorities. "We're not sure what charges (the sheriff) is even looking at yet," Lane said. "I've said repeatedly I need to see what evidence they've got." Lane said "The whole Heene family feels that they are in fact under seige at this point." Lane's interviews came a day after the Larimer County sheriff's Office said it had evidence the "balloon boy" incident was an orchestrated publicity stunt to promote a reality TV show. The Heenes, of Fort Collins, Colo., triggered a frantic rescue effort when they reported that their 6-year-old son had floated away in a helium balloon. The parents had been planning Thursday's drama for at least two weeks to help land a deal for a TV show, Larimer Country Sheriff Jim Alderden said Sunday. "They put on a very good show, … and we bought it," he said. The couple met in acting school, he said. TV viewers were riveted by the 50-mile flight of the UFO-like balloon, which they thought was carrying little Falcon Heene. After it touched down and he was not inside, a search continued until he was found at home. The boy said he had been hiding. LOCAL COVERAGE: Balloon family faces felony charges HELPER: Researcher says he worked on UFO hoax VIDEO: Father denies scare was hoax AUDIO: Family calls 911 ON DEADLINE: Was media full of hot air? Alderden said he would recommend the district attorney file charges of conspiracy, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, attempting to influence a public servant and making a false report to authorities. He declined to say whether the couple had confessed. Alderden said if the district attorney's office goes forward with the charges, deputies will seek restitution to cover its costs of the search. The dollar amount that would be sought was not immediately available. Alderden also said his office will consult with the Federal Aviation Administration and the FBI on whether federal charges are warranted. Lane said Monday the whole event has been a "nightmare for the family." "These folks are absolutely willing to turn themselves in," he said. "I don't want to see a perp walk done for media consumption in this case. I don't think it's humane to arrest people in front of their children, especially when they've agreed to turn themselves in." In addition to drawing up possible felony charges against Heene, investigators say they want to question an associate of his after e-mails surfaced showing the two had discussed a balloon hoax months ago as part of a public relations campaign for the reality show. Robert Thomas of Denver claimed Heene had told him he was planning a media stunt to promote a proposed reality show. Thomas, a self-described researcher, sold his story to Gawker.com and provided the website with e-mail exchanges between him and Heene. Thomas said the show would feature Heene as a mad scientist who carries out various scientific experiments. "This will be the most significant UFO-related news event to take place since the Roswell Crash of 1947, and the result will be a dramatic increase in local and national awareness about The Heene Family, our Reality Series, as well as the UFO Phenomenon in general," according to a copy of the show's proposal provided to the site by Thomas. Gawker.com editor-in-chief Gabriel Snyder confirmed the New York-based website paid Thomas, but declined to say how much for the story billed with the headline: "Exclusive: I Helped Richard Heene Plan a Balloon Hoax." Snyder said Thomas was planning to meet with investigators, though sheriff's officials did not return messages seeking confirmation. Messages left for Thomas by the Associated Press were not returned. Thomas, 25, said in his Gawker.com story that the plan he knew about did not involve Heene's children. The couple's three boys, 6, 8 and 10, were "100% involved" but are unlikely to face charges, Alderden said. Larimer County's Child Protection Services will investigate whether they are in danger, he said. The Heenes, who have appeared on ABC TV's Wife Swap, describe themselves as storm chasers. Alderden said Richard Heene has a high school education and is a contractor who lays tile. As for a "nutty professor" image, the sheriff said, "He may be nutty, but he's not a professor." A handwritten note taped to the Heenes' front door said: "Thank you for all of your support. We are not taking any interview anymore. We are tired. Thank you." "This thing has become so convoluted," Richard Heene told the Associated Press while shopping at Walmart with his wife and sons Sunday, tears welling in his eyes. Alderden said the Heenes' story seemed believable at first, partly because they gave officers access to the house and children. The "a-ha moment" came as the family was interviewed that night on CNN, he said. When Richard Heene asked Falcon why he didn't come out when he heard his parents calling his name, the boy said, "You guys said that we did this for the show." Alderden said the Heenes were in talks about a TV deal and might have thought the project needed a "spark." His office is investigating whether the couple conspired with anyone else, such as an entertainment program, to stage Falcon's disappearance. He said he would seek restitution for the search but is doubtful the family could pay. "I don't think there's much to recover," he said. Hughes reports for The Coloradoan in Fort Collins. Bazar reported from McLean, Va. Also contributing: The Associated Press, KUSA-TV in Denver; Carolyn Pesce in McLean, Va. Guidelines: You share in the USA TODAY community, so please keep your comments smart and civil. Don't attack other readers personally, and keep your language decent. Use the "Report Abuse" button to make a difference. You share in the USA TODAY community, so please keep your comments smart and civil. Don't attack other readers personally, and keep your language decent. Use the "Report Abuse" button to make a difference. Read more