Disabled, decorated Army veteran battles HOA

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. - A wounded war veteran said he is facing serious fines from his Gwinnett County neighborhood’s home owner association.

Retired Army Staff Sgt. Daniel Lister did four tours of duty: first in Iraq, then Afghanistan, but he is now in a big fight with his homeowners association after they put a lien on his property. His days of fighting aren’t over yet. He said the HOA forced him to pay thousands of dollars for not keeping his house up to regulations.

“I had lost so much blood. I had like 27 blood transfusions before I ever left Afghanistan,” said Lister.

The retired army sergeant wasn’t expected to survive when he stepped on an IED in Afghanistan 7 years ago. More than 30 surgeries later, the single father, amputee and PTSD survivor, who has been awarded a Purple Heart and dozens of other medals, is in another kind of battle.

The ex-combat engineer is fighting with the Chandler Grove Homeowners Association over violations dealing with his trash can, fence, and yard edging at his Buford home.

“I couldn’t do anything. I was in a wheelchair and it was just me at the time... a 12-year-old and an 11-year-old. They can’t do home maintenance. So, the trash can stayed where I could use it in my wheelchair,” said Sgt. Lister

Sgt. Lister is not making excuses. He admits he dedicated 10 years to the Army and didn’t know much about life, being a homeowner or even a parent to his daughter and son.

“Up to 2012, I had never really been a parent, I was always deployed. They were with their mom,” said Sgt. Lister. “I was also trying to be out of the army for the first time since I was 21.”

Retired Staff Sgt. Lister said his children are his top priority right now and the homeowners association will have to get in line.

Anyone interested in help Staff Sgt. Lister can email FOX 5’s Aungelique Proctor at Aungelique.Proctor@FOXTV.COM.