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 H O A s are nothing but money sucking money grubbing organizations that do absolutely NOTHING to improve home owners properties and instead of solving problems they only create more. And just keep stealing from home owners. !!!
This country is becoming a communist country! We need to clean house, the White House, in 2016!!!
Wha?
This was last year! http://www.foxnews.com/us/2014/07/05/biz-executives-offer-to-pay-fines-for-florida-vet-facing-eviction-over-flower/
It is utterly amazing so many people post responses BEFORE they have ever made the tiniest attempt to read or research a topic/thread. You guys are seeing a snippet and flying off the handle. Be better Americans…be informed….don’t be follow blindly.
Please…please….for the love of all that is good and holy….please read and research before you post on a topic.
HMO’s suck!
Cheryl…ours does to. However, we stipulate the display follows the exact rules for use and display of the flag (36 U.S.C. 173-178) as well as $#%&!@*ociated sections (36 U.S.C. 171).
For reference, this code also addresses the conduct during playing of the National Anthem, (36 U.S.C. 172) the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, and Manner of Delivery were included.
Bonnie, you just exercised one of those “freedoms we don’t have anymore”.
They can be…if the residents in the neighborhood vote to ban it. It’s really quite simple.
Joey, if the members of the HOA vote to do this…it will happen.