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
Stand up and help this man he is a True American
This don’t sound right, I live in Jacksonville, fla. also, I have a home on one of the main streets here and have had a flag flying out front for over 11 years, no one has ever told me I couldn’t put my flag out !!! Until they start paying the taxes on my house, they best not either !!!
That’s B S !!!!! U S A !!!
Needs to switch it out with an ISIS flag and see what kind of response he gets from that. LOL
Every 4th of July we put bunting and line the fence with flags I wrap my porch in flags and put out red , white and blue flowers, so where does this man live in Jax ?
Donna Venszl, do you belong to an HOA ??? That’s the difference !!! HOAs Love to make peoples lives miserable and Take away their homes !!!
Find a good Pro Bono Lawyer and sue, or a lawyer who will take his fees from the HOA when they lose !!!
Florida is a Republican state.
Take the offense Larry, go after them with a vengeance in the arena of public opinion, the state courts and also h federal courts, as well. Put a cloud on the title of those who have the audacity to do this.
If Obama gets his way we will have a new flag like the one he used in his campaign