§ 23. Prohibitions.

No person in the classified service of the city or seeking admission thereto shall be appointed, promoted, reduced, removed, or in any way favored or discriminated against because of his political or religious opinions or affiliations. No person shall willfully or corruptly make any false statement, certificate, mark, rating or report in regard to any test, certification, or appointment held or made under the personnel provisions of this Act or in any manner commit or attempt to commit any fraud preventing the impartial execution of such personnel provisions or of the rules and regulations made thereunder. No officer or employee in the classified service of the city shall continue in such position after becoming a candidate for nomination or election to any public office. No person seeking appointment to or promotion in the classified service of the city shall either directly or indirectly give, render, or pay any money, service or other valuable thing to any person for or on account of or in connection with his test, appointment, proposed appointment, promotion or proposed promotion. No person shall orally, by letter or otherwise solicit or be in any manner concerned in soliciting any assessment, subscription or contribution for any political party or political purpose whatever from any person holding a position in the classified service of the city. In other than City of Miami Beach municipal elections and Metropolitan Dade County elections, persons holding a position in the classified service of the city may take part in the management, affairs, or political campaign of any political party or person further than in the exercise of his right as a citizen to express his opinion and to cast his vote.

Any person who himself or with others willfully or corruptly violates any of the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall upon conviction thereof be punished by a fine of not less than five dollars nor more than five hundred dollars, or by imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months, or by both such fine and imprisonment. Any person who is convicted under this section shall for a period of five years be ineligible for appointment to or employment in a position in the city service, and shall, if he be an officer or employee of the city, immediately forfeit the office or position he holds.

(Laws of Fla., 1937, ch. 18696, § 15; election of 11-18-69; Ord. No. 93-2868, § 1, 9-22-93)