‘Billboard Bandit’ Gets 3 Years of Probation

The self-proclaimed “Billboard Bandit,” who waged a one-man campaign against cigarette advertising, was sentenced Thursday to three years of probation and ordered to perform 250 hours of community service.

Donald Gary House, 42, who was convicted Tuesday on four misdemeanor counts of vandalism, said he has no remorse for his actions, because cigarette ads encourage people to engage in a potentially fatal activity.

The self-employed painting contractor from Clairemont promised to continue his campaign “to get the federal government to get off its butt and do something” to have such ads banned from billboards, as they have been from television for more than 20 years.

House was arrested at the beginning of a San Diego Padres baseball game June 13 as he spray-painted a large Marlboro billboard above the outfield bleachers.

House, who said he intended to be arrested, expressed the desire to use his trial to publicize the dangers of cigarettes and the effects of cigarette advertising on teen-agers.

However, San Diego Municipal Judge Richard J. Hanscom ruled that House could not present a defense based on the dangers of smoking.

During his trial, House admitted defacing 46 cigarette billboards around San Diego County. Among the phrases he painted were “Cancer ain’t suave” and “300,000 died in 1990.”

Hanscom ordered House to pay restitution to Gannett Outdoor Advertising, Patrick Media Group, Martin Outdoor Advertising and the Padres, but set no amount.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Stacy Running argued that House should pay about $8,500 to restore the billboards. Hanscom scheduled an Oct. 25 hearing to set a final figure.