There's a mistaken belief that politicians can say whatever they want without any consequences—especially when it comes to spreading falsehoods about their opponent. This was recently underscored when a jury in Eastern Kentucky found a former Democratic state senator guilty for knowingly airing a false TV ad in 2014. At issue was a TV commercial alleging Republican senate challenger Dr. Ralph Alvarado, unlawfully prescribed $3,000 worth of oxycodone to a criminal. The jury found the footage to be altered and the charges baseless. As a result, the jury ordered the former state senator RJ Palmer to pay Alvarado $200,000 in damages. Alvarado went to court to clear his good name and also to send a message that such political ads are out of bounds. This court case did a service for future candidates—candidates who once again are reminded that false political ads are costly.