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
Ridiculous. .
If it was an Isis flag it would be ok because you are not allowed to offend Muslims
Politicians need to be hung
Rediculious
This is ridiculous! HOAs should be discontinued! They certainly don’t do any good, and only act like gestapos when they’re aroused! Kick them all out!
thats wrong
Sue sue sue sue for millions for blatantly violating his civil rights as well as state and federal laws. They have no legal authority to do what they are doing. They need to fire their lawyer for what they are libal for. Sue sue sue.
Burn it, collect insurance money, build elsewhere. Done.
How can a HOA foreclose the mortgage is with a mortgage company or a bank? Also if you decide to buy a house that has HOA you have to live by their rules, you signed up for it. I’m sure there is much more to this story than is being shared in this article.
Joker