§ 54-174. False, misleading, or fraudulent statements made to obtain retirement benefits prohibited; penalty.

(a)

It is unlawful for a person to willfully and knowingly make or cause to be made or to assist, conspire with, or urge another to make, or cause to be made, any false, fraudulent, or misleading oral or written statement or withhold or conceal material information to obtain any benefit available under this retirement plan.

(b)

A person who violates subsection (a) commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in F.S. § 775.082 or F.S. § 775.083.

(c)

In addition to any applicable criminal penalty, upon conviction for a violation described in subsection (a), a participant or beneficiary of this retirement plan may, in the discretion of the retirement committee, be required to forfeit the right to receive any or all benefits to which the person would otherwise be entitled under this retirement plan. For purposes of this paragraph, "conviction" means a determination of guilt that is the result of a plea or trial, regardless of whether adjudication is withheld.

(Ord. No. 2009-1, § 12, 2-17-2009)