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
Outrageous
What total BS
This is awful. This HOA needs to rethink this! I will not be looking to live in this anti-America area.
The HOA changed the rules AFTER he had already moved in. Even a 2nd year law student could handle this one. Still, it is sickening that in America we have people that hate the American flag this much.
Shame on that community. I hope they identify all the folks that did this and post their names and faces.
Thanks oboma
Your so called “free market” isn’t exactly “free”, is it? You fancy yourself as as some sort of exclusive club, don’t you? Listening to how you talk, you are either a charter member, or head of a Homeowners $#%&!@*ociation, aren’t you? If that’s the case, you’re more than just a tad biased, aren’t you?
and you thought communism would never get to America well it has raised it ugly head everywhere and it is call being democrats for the communist party back in the 40’s told us that they both had the same agenda so they backed off and let the democrats do their work for them and they are doing a good job of taking America down they are the enemy of America period
John with all due respect…what the hell are you talking about? I personally think HOA’s are stupid. I would NEVER sign a contract with one. Having said that….obviously some people like HOA’s and they should be allowed to have them. I would never stop them from having that choice. Once you make that choice…and chose to sign a contract with an HOA…you have to abide by their rules.
I am not defending HOA’s….I am defending the idea that you honor a contract that you signed.
Your $#%&!@*ysis of me is hilariously mistaken……nice try though.
Florida must be totally ANTI AMERICAN…OVER AND OVER the HORROR stories from Florida are unending!!! See what a jeb bush gets you!! Yes, jeb is no longer governor…BUT bet all this started under his corrupt regime…..WE the people need to fight for this Veteran….and for Florida….