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
when will our Government pass a law that says it is legal to fly the AMERICAN FLAG ON YOUR OWN PROPERTY…
B S.
fly it high and fly it proud,
Those of you who Hate America, Get Out of “Our Nation” THIS IS THE UNITED STATES”. GO BACK HOME!!!
HOA’s are garbage and dont do anything but make sure you get a knock on the door for collections and keep your grass under 3 inches, keep you from simple auotmotive repairs on your property and other crazy things they deem unfit for the community so they can have decent proprlerty value. If you dont like living near other people move to the country side.
What is wrong with this country. .. this needs to stop… what happened to patriotism.
HOA should be illegal they stand for everything we fought for when we fought for freedom. If you don’t like your Nabor and what he does tough. If he is on his property he should be FREE to do what he wants. You don’t like it move!!!!!!
Ridiculous
Just can’t fixed stupid
HOA’s. Similar to Union control….nothing but Communists. They need to go down with the unions. A bunch of controlling, narcissistic people with no lives want to be a part of yours, whether you like it or not….for a fee of course.