"Balloon Boy" dad Richard Heene is selling off the infamous balloon that made him the most hated father in America -- and if everything goes to plan ... he'll raise over a million bucks for charity in the process.



Richard posted a video online last week -- in which he claims his family wants to help with the tsunami relief efforts in Japan ... and to kick things off, he's already set a "purchase now" price on the balloon for $1,000,000.

Heene claims he will not make a penny off the saucer -- saying he hired an attorney to distribute any profits from the private online auction to Japanese tsunami relief charities.

The 20-foot saucer created a search-and-rescue panic in October 2009 -- when Richard and his wife claimed their six-year-old was trapped in the balloon as it careened into the sky.

Of course, it was all a lie ... and now everybody hates him.

Balloon Boy's dad Richard Heene has hatched a new money making scheme that doesn't involve exploiting his kids -- and TMZ has learned it involves a giant back scratcher ... and a whole lot of yelling.


Sources tell us Richard has invented a contraption called the "Bear Scratch" -- basically an upright piece of wood you use to scratch your back ... you know, like a bear would.

TMZ got its mitts on a video of Richard practice-pitching the gadget -- and ... just a suggestion ... he should probably take it down a few decibels.

Billy Mays he's not.

"Balloon Dad" Richard Heene has a brand new mug shot in Florida -- but dude didn't break the law this time ... TMZ has learned it's all because he decided to move.



Law enforcement tells us the Heene family has left Colorado for sunny Florida ... and as a convicted felon for that whole "Balloon Boy" hoax thing ... Richard has to check in with local law enforcement before he can settle into a new home.

So, at 7:35 AM ... dude threw on his best yellow t-shirt and waltzed into the Manatee County Sheriff's Office ... where he posed for a mug shot, left his fingerprints and went on his way.

According to reports, the Heenes didn't leave Fort Collins on good terms -- their former landlord claims the fam left discarded belongings all over their former home ... including tables, plates, tools chairs and appliances. 

Don't worry -- they've still got plenty of baggage.

Harvey and Mike answered your questions on anything this Friday the 13th -- including breaking news about DJ AM's wrongful death suit, the potential prison time Michael Lohan faces for releasing those phone calls and Cindy Crawford's German extortionist.



Plus: The Heenes' day in court, Nic Cage's status as "rich poor" and Mike's pledge to lose weight!