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 $8,000 and they put a foreclosure lien on my house,” he continued.
Action News wanted to know how that’s possible, so we took our questions to legal and safety expert Dale Carson.
“There’s an actual Florida statute that says he can display this flag,” Carson said.
Federal law from 2005 also backs that up. We reached out to the law office that reprsents the HOA and got attorney Michelle Haines. She tells me if payment is not made within 30 days, the law office can move forward with foreclosure on Murphree’s home. – See more at: http://www.actionnewsjax.com/news/news/local/veteran-may-lose-home-over-flag-fight/ngRCt/#sthash.OTe76VXL.dpuf
They must be a bunch of communists or muslims in that association. Get the best lawyer you can and sue them, Larry.
Is this really happening in America? No one would be that cruel in this country. Post the names of those responsible. And their addresses and phone numbers.
Mike carpenter is a PoS. No where in the United States do you lose ANY rights.
The HOA should be prosecuted for harassment!
@ Tim Bill…..Lmao….really? When you walk into a Court of Law…can you carry a pistol? When you walk into a movie theater…do you have unfettered Freedom of Speech…scream fire and see what happens.
Instead of name calling Tim, how about let’s advance the debate?
Liz Killingsworth, what happened was amnesty bill in 1986 passed by the democrats then.
Disgraceful ! This is America , if we can not display our countries flag there is something wrong !
Tim, as I recall Ronald Reagan signed the 1986 Amnesty Bill. Of course, the Dems backed out on their end of the deal….seems to be a recurring theme.
This some bull$#%&!@*! Where is our freedom of expression? When did America stop haveing FREEDOM???? No wonder why people kill!