Close Menu
  • Home
  • COMMUNITY NEWS
  • LOCAL NEWS & EVENTS
  • SCHOOL NEWS
  • MILITARY NEWS
  • CRIME / PUBLIC SAFETY
  • THINGS TO DO
  • HEALTH & WELLNESS
  • HOME & GARDEN
  • NORTHWEST FLORIDA NEWS
  • FLORIDA NEWS
  • Contact
Facebook
Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube
Niceville.com
Niceville.com
Home»FLORIDA NEWS»Storage company to pay $130,000 for auctioning servicemembers’ belongings
FLORIDA NEWS

Storage company to pay $130,000 for auctioning servicemembers’ belongings

Niceville.comSeptember 29, 20242 Mins Read
U.S. Department of Justice sign on building.
U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). (File photo)

FLORIDA — A self-storage company has agreed to pay $130,000 to settle allegations that it violated the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) by auctioning the belongings of active-duty servicemembers without obtaining court orders.

Advertisement
Deer Moss Creek® advertisement by Ruckel Properties, Inc. promoting available homes and lots.

Niceville.com Community Partner

According to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Morningstar Storage, which operates storage facilities throughout the southeast United States, failed to follow the SCRA’s requirement to secure court orders before auctioning the contents of at least three units rented by servicemembers.

One of the affected servicemembers, an Air Force Staff Sergeant stationed at MacDill Air Force Base, rented a unit at a Tampa facility. The sergeant, who was deployed overseas to Jordan, had stored household goods, military awards, and personal items in the unit.

After Morningstar acquired the facility, the DOJ said it stopped her automatic payments and auctioned her unit for $390.

Advertisement
Deer Moss Creek® advertisement by Ruckel Properties, Inc. promoting available homes and lots.

Niceville.com Community Partner

Under a consent order awaiting approval by the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Morningstar will pay the Staff Sergeant $80,000 in damages, along with $5,000 each to two additional servicemembers.

The company has also agreed to a $40,000 civil penalty and will implement policies to prevent future violations of the SCRA.

The SCRA protects military personnel by requiring court orders before the sale or disposal of their property. The U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida led the enforcement of this case.

Advertisement
Deer Moss Creek® advertisement by Ruckel Properties, Inc. promoting available homes and lots.

Niceville.com Community Partner

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
Previous ArticleHelp UF develop tastier tomatoes: Get your seeds now!
Next Article Disbarred South Florida attorney charged with embezzling $650,000

Related Posts

FDOT traffic advisory illustration, Northwest Florida

Roadwork, paving, and bridge work to affect Okaloosa, Walton

October 11, 2025
Walton County Sheriff’s Office emblem on the side of a patrol vehicle.

DeFuniak Springs man admits firing shots, arrested by Walton deputies

October 10, 2025
Deputy Jacob “Kyle” Behrens receives the Life Saving Award from Sheriff Eric Aden.

Walmart parking lot crisis leads to Life Saving Award for OCSO deputy

October 10, 2025
Advertisement
The Wharf 850 Niceville, Florida

Niceville.com Community Partner

Categories
  • COMMUNITY NEWS
  • CRIME / PUBLIC SAFETY
  • FLORIDA NEWS
  • HEALTH & WELLNESS
  • HOME & GARDEN
  • IT'S GEEK TO ME
  • LARRY WILLIAMS
  • LOCAL NEWS & EVENTS
  • MARKETPLACE NEWS
  • MILITARY NEWS
  • NORTHWEST FLORIDA NEWS
  • OUTDOORS
  • ROADS / TRANSPORTATION
  • SCHOOL NEWS
  • THINGS TO DO
Advertisement
The Wharf 850 Niceville, Florida

Niceville.com Community Partner

COMMUNITY PARTNERS
  • EGLIN FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
  • EYEWEAR UNLIMITED
  • HAIR EXPRESS
  • MIDBAY VETERINARY HOSPITAL
  • NICEVILLE FARMERS MARKET
  • NICEVILLE INSURANCE AGENCY
  • RUCKEL PROPERTIES, INC.
  • THE WHARF 850
Advertisement
Eglin Federal Credit Union auto loan ad with family and open road theme.

Niceville.com Community Partner

Categories
  • COMMUNITY NEWS
  • CRIME / PUBLIC SAFETY
  • FLORIDA NEWS
  • HEALTH & WELLNESS
  • HOME & GARDEN
  • IT'S GEEK TO ME
  • LARRY WILLIAMS
  • LOCAL NEWS & EVENTS
  • MARKETPLACE NEWS
  • MILITARY NEWS
  • NORTHWEST FLORIDA NEWS
  • OUTDOORS
  • ROADS / TRANSPORTATION
  • SCHOOL NEWS
  • THINGS TO DO
Advertisement
Eglin Federal Credit Union auto loan ad with family and open road theme.

Niceville.com Community Partner

Advertisement
A horizontal digital banner for Midbay Veterinary Hospital featuring a dog and a cat, a blue veterinary cross logo, contact details for Dr. Maya Chapman, and a call-to-action button that says "Click" to make an appointment

Niceville.com Community Partner

ABOUT NICEVILLE.COM

PRIVACY POLICY

TERMS OF SERVICE

© 2025 Niceville.com. All Rights Reserved.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.