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 $8,000 and they put a foreclosure lien on my house,” he continued.
Action News wanted to know how that’s possible, so we took our questions to legal and safety expert Dale Carson.
“There’s an actual Florida statute that says he can display this flag,” Carson said.
Federal law from 2005 also backs that up. We reached out to the law office that reprsents the HOA and got attorney Michelle Haines. She tells me if payment is not made within 30 days, the law office can move forward with foreclosure on Murphree’s home. – See more at: http://www.actionnewsjax.com/news/news/local/veteran-may-lose-home-over-flag-fight/ngRCt/#sthash.OTe76VXL.dpuf
This is a good case for a law suit against the effort to eliminate our right to free speech.
Home owners associations are the worst little dictator power hungry control freaks. They are worst then local governments.
That’s beyond petty. That’s Jerry Springer petty, and no judge in his right mind would allow it. This story is alarmist bull$#%&!@*.
HOW’S are stupid
WOW,unreal its like the VA,all over again very disrespectful and thanks to them we have our freedom…2014 2016
This has to stop now!
wrong! We should be able to have out flag anywhere.
Those that are doing this to him should be in jail for treason! I am sick of this BS.
time to start getting physical with these anti american flag commies!WHO GIVES A C**P IF SOME 3RD WORLD TRASH DOESN’T LIKE OLD GLORY!!!GO BACK TO YOUR TRASH GARDEN COUNTRY
Don’t put them in jail give’em a one way ticket to Iraq