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
Patriotic Americans should be permitted to at least display a small flag for special holidays. Communities that don’t permit this little display of patriotism are wrong.
For you people that dont read.
The lien is for failure to pay his HOA dues.
Apparently most of you dont live in condos or gated communities.
This is very normal. In my neighborhood if you leave your garage door up more than a day its $100 fine per day.
Improper landscaping fine.
No outdoor pets.
Flags can be flown on holidays.
Read before you comment
More democrat bull$#%&!@* !!!! I would like to shove a flag poll up their collective asses !!!!!
This is bs. What country are we living in. Oh I thought it was the USA! I would turn around and sue them for violation of rights!
Even in this day and time, this is so not fair or legal ??
this is total bull $#%&!@* he is an american he has a right to put a flag in his yard as a tax payers f the dam government
If this is true its the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard.
quick solution,,tell them you are an illegal and YOU will get Red Carpet treatment ,,,,,,Better Yet ,,tell them that you Belong to the muslim brother hood and Obama will be swift To save the day
Who is making this law up anyway. I have flags all over the place and I display them in my flower pots and people have them on their porch railing. Why are they selling them in the stores, are they getting fined as well. We need to stand United. Get rid of the naysayers.
What country is he living in? Isn’t Florida in the USA? If people are offended by the sight of our flag, they are the ones that need to move!