Richard Heene was to plead guilty today to attempting to influence a public servant, a felony, said his attorney, David Lane. Heene's wife, Mayumi, a Japanese citizen who could be deported if convicted of more serious charges, will plead guilty to a lesser charge of false reporting to authorities, a misdemeanor.

Lane said that the threat of deportation "fueled" negotiations with prosecutors. An attorney for Mayumi Heene said that her immigration status was a factor in reaching the deal but would not comment further.

Prosecutors announced criminal charges against the couple yesterday. A spokeswoman for the Larimer County district attorney's office would not discuss whether a deal had been reached.

The Oct. 15 saga gripped a global audience, first with fear for the safety of 6-year-old Falcon Heene and then with anger at his parents when authorities accused them of perpetrating the hoax to drum up attention for a possible reality show.

Lane said that the deal does not call for removing Falcon or the couple's other two children - ages 8 and 10 - from the parents' custody.

The plea deal would spare the Heenes the maximum jail time, but Richard Heene could still get up to 90 days and Mayumi up to 60, Lane said.

Without the deal, the charge against Richard Heene carries a possible sentence of two to six years in state prison and a fine of up to $500,000. The charge against his wife is punishable by up to six months in the county jail and a fine up to $750.

Mayumi Heene's attorney, Lee Christian, said that he expects her to serve any jail time in a work-release program that would involve some detention and some time at home.