In re Reis

129 Misc. 698

• Court: New York Supreme Court
• Decided: January 15, 1927
• Status: Published

Opinion

Staley, J.

On January 25, 1927, Bernard J. Reis was served with a subpoena requiring his attendance forthwith before Albert Ottinger, Attorney-General of the State of New York, at 68 Broadway, New York city, to testify in regard to matters relating to the practices of Frank J. Silva and others, in the issue, negotiation and sale of securities in and from the State of New York, and requiring the production of certain books and papers relating to his examination of records of the 'Wall Street Iconoclast, Inc., in connection with his affidavit, verified January 24, 1927, in the matter of the Columbia Emerald Development Corporation.

This proceeding seeks an order vacating and quashing said subpoena on various grounds specified, included within which is the assertion that the same is defective and was issued in excess of the power of the Attorney-General.

It appears that on or about the 5th day of January, 1927, an action was commenced by the Attorney-General against Frank J. Silva and others, to obtain an injunction against the fraudulent sale, negotiation and promotion of the stock of the Columbia Emerald Development Corporation. The affidavit referred to in the subpoena was made by the said Bernard J. Reis for use in the proceeding brought by the Attorney-General for the continuance of an injunction against the defendants named in the action.

The authority of the Attorney-General to issue such subpoena is alleged to exist by the provisions of section 352, as contained in article 23-A of the General Business Law (added by Laws of 1921, chap. 649, as amd. by Laws of 1926, chap. 617). Such power for the issuance of the subpoena under the circumstances existing is not found in the provisions of such article. The power for the issuance of subpoena there conferred is confined and limited to the attendance of witnesses and a compulsion of testimony preliminary to the commencement of an action. When such action is commenced, the power no longer exists and all rights thereunder thereby become terminated and exhausted.

After an action is commenced, even of the character authorized by the above section of the General Business Law, the examination of witnesses is controlled by the procedure set forth in the Civil Practice Act for the examination of witnesses in actions in general.

An order, therefore, may be entered vacating and quashing the subpoena with ten dollars costs to the applicant, Bernard J. Reis.