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 really stinks!! Can anyone help him?
if they dont like the American flag then they should leave America and let this man alone
Sounds like the hoa needs new management! Id tell them to try to take my house and i would protect my belongings with my life
well im a combat engineer, i would just tell them what i did for a living, and if they really want to try their luck
i will fly a post size flag once im done with my service HOA must set foot at my property to drop anything, and guess what thats just what i need.
over a flag that was small enough to fit in a flower pot????? Anyone who has a problem with that needs to leave the US and buy a life!
a few hundred thousand of us need to go where he is and take care of some bussiness
luddite says:
“This veteran will end up owning the entire complex when this done. He has the law on his side in this one. Good luck from an old Marine Vietnam veteran.
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/109/hr42/text”
From: http://www.truthandaction.org/veteran-fined-8000-and-might-lose-home-for-tiny-american-flag-in-flowerpot/comment-page-14/#comment-304024
Zannefair says:
“there is a law passed in 2005 get a lawyer there is no reason you have to stop flying flag or lose your home what they are doing is illegal”
From: http://www.truthandaction.org/veteran-fined-8000-and-might-lose-home-for-tiny-american-flag-in-flowerpot/comment-page-14/#comment-303731
Edward says:
“I think you have the wrong post, Bryan. I believe you are talking about the guy who won a similar battle in Salem. The story about 73-year-old Larry Murphree, of Jacksonville, FL, was published by Fox News on June 27, 2014. http://www.foxnews.com/us/2014/06/27/florida-vet-says-bring-it-on-as-faces-eviction-over-flower-pot-flag/”
From: http://www.truthandaction.org/veteran-fined-8000-and-might-lose-home-for-tiny-american-flag-in-flowerpot/comment-page-12/#comment-302665