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
I hope he sues and OWNS that HoA and then changes the rules where everyone MUST display a flag. This is SO outrageous that words cannot convey the stupidity, arrogance or brain damage these people have. STAND UP AND FIGHT!!!
This is why you don’t buy into an hoa
Ignore stupid people, sick sick
no way i would pay that fine. where is the aclu for this guy . where are they now?
This is insane.
That wouldn’t go over in Tennessee. You’d have half the state on the courthouse steps with shotguns, ready to HANG somebody!
American Flag law of 2005 read it
Those folds that are after this man should be sued and stripped of there citizen ship and shipped out of the Country
Move to Virginia Beach, we love the flag.We wave it,we salute it we are proud of it.
boy we are going down the tubes fast here in the usa after hearing this