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
The black $#%&!@*’s world.
Voluntarily signing a contract with an HOA means you are bound by their ridiculous rules. And in that particular HOA you are allowed to fly an American Flag there are just restriction on how. “Stuck in a flowerpot” is apparently not permitted.
How can you sue the HOA when you voluntarily signed a contract to live under their ridiculous rules?
I hope a good lawyer can help him. This is wrong. I hope the other residents back him up and get the stupid regulation removed from the $#%&!@*ociation. We need to fight this persecution of patriots.
Who is so stupid to do something like this. .. Such hateful people. God help this wonderful American hero!!!
The state attorney generals office should get involved reminding the HOA and their ridiculous attorney they do not creat law at will.
Wait wait…you say I ” sounded like an HOA adverti$#%&!@*t”…..did you actually READ what I said?
All I said was if you sign the contract, you live by the contract….and I said that people that people that CHOOSE to live in an HOA presumably WANT to live in an HOA.
Seriously…..how you construe that as me advocating for HOA’s is beyond me. Have a good day…
Hey Martin…….shut up……idiots
Johnson…..shut up….just keep holding your JOHNSON
I think the those who fined him should be brought up on charges of violating his civil rights!