Investigation of violations.

When the state personnel board of review or a municipal or civil service township civil service commission has reason to believe that any officer, board, commission, head of a department, or person having the power of appointment, layoff, suspension, or removal, has abused such power by making an appointment, layoff, reduction, suspension, or removal of an employee under his or their jurisdiction in violation of this chapter of the Revised Code, the board or commission shall make an investigation, and if it finds that a violation of this chapter, or the intent and spirit of this chapter has occurred, it shall make a report to the governor, or in the case of a municipal or township office or employee, the commission shall make a report to the mayor or other chief appointing authority, or in the case of a civil service township, the commission shall make a report to the board of township trustees, who may remove forthwith such guilty officer, board, commission, head of department, or person. The officer or employee shall first be given an opportunity to be publicly heard in person or by counsel in his own defense. The action of removal by the governor, mayor, or other chief appointing authority is final except as otherwise provided in this chapter of the Revised Code.