No person with intent to sell or in any way dispose of merchandise, securities, service, or any other thing, offered directly or indirectly by such person to the public for sale or distribution, or in order to induce the public or acquire an interest therein, or incur any obligation relating thereto, shall make, publish, circulate, or otherwise place before the public or cause to be placed before the public in a newspaper or any other form of publication, pamphlet, handbill, letter, or in any other way, any advertisement of any sort regarding such thing so offered to the public which contains a representation or statement which is untrue, deceptive, misleading, or fraudulent.
(1986 Code) Penalty, see § 10.999