(a) Generally. Prior to rejecting any application for a pension or temporary disability payment or suspension of disability payment or beneficiary payments under this article, the board shall hold a hearing. All persons in interest shall be entitled to notice thereof, to be present at such hearing and to be represented by counsel and shall be permitted to propound any question pertinent or relevant to such matter and shall have the right to introduce evidence in his or her own behalf. All witnesses so produced shall be examined under oath, and any member of the board is authorized to administer such oath to such witnesses. The decision of the board in all cases shall be final.

(b) False statements; penalty. Any person who knowingly makes any false statement or who falsifies or permits to be falsified any record of the fire department retirement system, in any attempt to defraud the fire department retirement system, shall be punished as provided in section 1-13. Any person convicted under this section shall make full restitution. (Code 1979, § 15-133)