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 utterly ridiculous for the size of flag he wants to fly, that HMO needs to get a clue of what country they are in. and there should not be any HMO that would keep any American from flying an American Flag.
Get a good attorney, win enough to pay the house off, and tell someone where to go.
Just crazy it’s like we have no rights left people constantly telling others u can’t do this r that . Poor guy ain’t done anything illegal it’s America
HOA’s are nothing more or less than CRIMINAL Organizations that extort money from residents to feed someone’s greedy pockets !
Sounds like he’s in the need of some local help!!!!
This is still America. If we want to display our flag and it offends someone then that someone needs to get the blazes out of this country!
dont pay a dime and when they come to take you out your home, shoot them $#%&!@*ers. life liberty and property. they can eat a dick. right to rebel given to us via consitution and bill of rights
This is when I wish “ILL” towards the HOA Board members – personally and hope for financial harm to them.
How can this happen in America? It was offending some Muslims in the community, right? How did the Home Owners Association get a lien on his house? Isn’t the house in his name? This is just beyond outrageous. The Government of Florida should step in & put a stop to actions such as this.
This is so ludicrous!