Veteran Larry Murphfree from Jacksonville, FL was fined $8000 and had a foreclosure lien placed on his home for putting a small American flag in his flowerpot – even though he had a legal right to do so. If he doesn’t pay within 30 days he might lose his home.
“I want it to go away. It’s such a minor little thing and they keep coming after me,” he explained.
“They” is Murphree’s homeowner’s association. He’s lived in the Sweetwater community for years, and been at odds with the HOA for more than two. All over a flag. The veteran decided to put one in his flower pot, and has been fined as a result.
“They just sent me a letter that says I owe them around $8,000 and they put a foreclosure lien on my house,” he continued.
Action News wanted to know how that’s possible, so we took our questions to legal and safety expert Dale Carson.
“There’s an actual Florida statute that says he can display this flag,” Carson said.
Federal law from 2005 also backs that up. We reached out to the law office that reprsents the HOA and got attorney Michelle Haines. She tells me if payment is not made within 30 days, the law office can move forward with foreclosure on Murphree’s home. – See more at: http://www.actionnewsjax.com/news/news/local/veteran-may-lose-home-over-flag-fight/ngRCt/#sthash.OTe76VXL.dpuf
Ok but I will Blame him for everything else
What country are we in again. What can we do to help this man
WHAT????? BU**SH**!!!!
So what thats our flag time we did something about this!
If the HOA members ruled to prevent the flying of the AMERICAN FLAG by some of it’s members-the others fighting it must be UNPATRIOTIC and need to show some GRA$#%&!@*UDE to the men and women who fought and died to give us and your HOA members the FREEDOMS we all enjoy. Our AMERICAN FLAG represents HOPE and FREEDOM. It sure beat having a $#%&!@* or Isis flag flying. Like you said they aren’t forced to live there- neither are those that opposing flying the AMERICAN FLAG. forced to live in AMERICA. .Plenty of people would loved to legally come to this county and enjoy our FREEDOMS. THE HOA NEEDS TO SHOW SOME RESPECT TO OUR BRAVE VETERANS WHO GAVE SO MUCH TO THIS COUNTRY.
I’m not sure where he lives but I would willing to convince the morons of the error of their stupidity.
This is so wrong!!!
People need to stop this insanity and look at the government which is too blame.
Homeowners Associations are nothing but money hungry people that want to rule everyone’s lives. I would never live in a neighborhood that had a HOA.