The billboard ad is sponsored by the Private Family Foundation. It says fraud is punishable by 3 1/2 years in prison, up to a $10,000 fine, and shows a judge's gavel. The Dispatch saw and photographed the billboard while reporting on a future story.

Leaders in the community where the billboard is placed -- it's located on E. 35th Street and Community College Blvd -- say the billboard is a blatant attempt at voter intimidation. They say the community, like many inner city communities, contains a high number of ex-criminal offenders who might be intimidated by the imagery on the billboard.

I guess, by this logic, if a bank were to put up a sign that said that bank robbery is illegal and listed the penalties; they would be discouraging people from opening checking accounts?