Judge Calls Stunt 'Unconscionably Stupid'

In July of 2015, Calgary, Canada business owner Daniel Boria tied 100 industrial-grade helium balloons to a lawn chair and took off over the city in a stunt he said was intended to promote his cleaning business.

Last week, provincial court Judge Bruce Fraser assessed a hefty fine against Boria, calling the stunt "dumb and dangerous" and "unconscionably stupid," according to a report from the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

Boria pleaded guilty in December to charges of dangerous operation of an aircraft. In an agreement worked out with prosecutors, he will pay a $5,000 direct fine and contribute $20,000 to the charity of his choice, according to the report.

Boria reportedly flew at an altitude of about 2.5 miles over Calgary. He had originally intended to parachute into the Calgary Stampede chuckwagon races, but the weather forced him to bail out early from his lawn chair. He was immediately arrested by police who had been watching him float over the Stampede grounds.

As many as 24 aircraft took off or landed at Calgary during his flight. For his stunt, he was dubbed the "balloonatic" by the media.

Boria said he has no regrets for the stunt. He made his donations to the veteran's food bank and The Royal Canadian Legion's Poppy Fund.

(Image from YouTube video)

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