An associate of Richard Heene, the man accused of carrying out the now-infamous “Balloon Boy Hoax” to promote a reality TV show, is wanted for questioning after e-mails surfaced showing the two had discussed a similar stunt months ago as part of a public relations campaign for the program.

Investigators want to interview Robert Thomas, a Denver man who claimed Richard Heene had told him he was planning a media stunt to promote a proposed reality show. Thomas, a researcher, sold his story to Gawker.com and provided the site 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.