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
This is complete insanity! It our homes, our Country, he fought for the right to fly the flag & now he can’t for being an AMERICA ? We are all in deep TROUBLE !
No flag. YOU ARE A COWARD!
This is just plain foolish/stupid/ignorant!!! This IS AMERICA, the American flag should be flown/displayed anywhere in the USA at any time!!!!!!
As is becoming usual a veteran and our nations flag are being put down for the advantage of some cynical excuse or lie. Why are we tolerating our values being trampled on by foreign extremists and liberals in our own country?? These unamerican attacks on our nation have our older generations wondering why our young people accept the lies by the democrats that this is the new america. Its really called treason.
What has happened to this country ?
So unconstitutional. just who is enforcing this……should be shot as a traitor.
I’m sorry . They should be paying you ,sir
as far as I know you can still put up flags in Russia this country is $#%&!@*ed up. this $#%&!@*s gotta be spam somebody tries to take my American flag I’ll shoot the bastard
It’s time to riot the HOA and Michelle Haines for being stupid
That says a lot for HOA’s –they’re all the same –do as we tell you or else!!