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 not the only one we are hearing about since this president took office/what does that tell you there is too much anti-american c**p going on
I’m sorry you are being treated this way.
counter sue them for violating his civil rights. Sue them for more money than they can pay and tell the lawyer he can have half to win. That would send a message to all HOA’S that they are not Gods to do what they want to.
Do not live in a HOA. Their rules are ridiculous and this is our nation! Our flag! Please sue this as discrimination against you as the right to fly AMERICAN and as a veteran! Prayers to you and thank u for your service sir!
I don’t get it. “They” know our flag is here before they come. Guess they come to try and destroy it and our freedom.
Is the Home Owners Ass. a bunch of Communist? An AMERICAN VETERAN is fined $8,000 and can lose his house for flying an AMERICAN FLAG? What do they want him to fly, a Mexican flag or a Muslin flag? I hope a good lawyer takes this case for free, finds the Home Owners Ass. overstepping their authority and the vet wills a lawsuit. What a bunch of idiotic, communist, anti-american, common sense rejects. AND that is their GOOD side.
THIS IS BULL SH,,
Time for a good conservative attorney.
Again our vets are being punished for showing what they fought for and died for our government is disgraceful.
He should counter sue, and put the HOA out of business. I believe HOA’s should be outlawed.