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
They cant do that !
Just when did we start letting the NUTS run the asylum?
I’m afraid this is just the beginning of going to happen.
this is so so NUTS to hear some thing like this WE ATR IN AMERICAN KEEP THAT FLAG FLYING
Must be in an Obama socialistic state !!
All of the HOAs’ are to blame. FL law says he can. So don’t blame all of FL.
what is happening to our freedom, its our right to put a flag up.
I am so sick of hearing how our flag is an offense! STFU
if property owners are so afraid of offending the damn muslims they should have their property taken away
I wish someone would tell me I couldn’t fly my flag… i would give them to the count of 2 before I exercised my 2nd ammendment rights to protect my 1st ammendment rights.
why do we allow this kind of thing to happen? It’s time to fight back against people who would deny us our rights