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 whole thing about our citizens going after others for a flag??? The Judge ought to throw them all out of court!
What BS!
this is so ridiculous! We live in America, a flag being displayed is not something to go this far for! BS is right! 🙁
What stupidity. A lot of noise and intimidation. We should ALL be flying our flags.
Why are people not ripping these people out of the chairs they sit in? They need to find out who ordered the fine and remove them from their job.
Commie Bastards.
Use the money to hire a good lawyer. flying the American flag in America is NOT illegal!
this is a travesty of justice,,,we need more patriotism, not less
please larry, tell us who your representative is so we can make sure he is never in office again!!!!
wrong