§ 476-c. Investigation by the attorney-general.
1.The\nattorney-general is empowered to conduct an investigation of any\ncomplaint of unlawful practice of the law and in connection therewith,\nthe attorney-general, his deputy, assistant, special assistant or other\nofficer designated by him for such purpose is empowered to subpoena\nwitnesses, compel their attendance, examine them under oath before him\nor the supreme court of the state of New York, or a justice thereof, and\nrequire the production of any books or papers which he deems relevant or\nmaterial to the inquiry. Such power of subpoena and of examination shall\nnot abate or terminate by reason of the commencement or pendency of any\naction or proceeding brought by the attorney-general under section four\nhundred seventy-six-a.
Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI
§ 476-c. Investigation by the attorney-general. 1. The\nattorney-general is empowered to conduct an investigation of any\ncomplaint of unlawful practice of the law and in connection therewith,\nthe attorney-general, his deputy, assistant, special assistant or other\nofficer designated by him for such purpose is empowered to subpoena\nwitnesses, compel their attendance, examine them under oath before him\nor the supreme court of the state of New York, or a justice thereof, and\nrequire the production of any books or papers which he deems relevant or\nmaterial to the inquiry. Such power of subpoena and of examination shall\nnot abate or terminate by reason of the commencement or pendency of any\naction or proceeding brought by the attorney-general under section four\nhundred seventy-six-a.\n 2. No person shall be excused from attending such inquiry in pursuance\nto the mandates of a subpoena, or from producing a paper or book, or\nfrom being examined or required to answer a question on the ground of\nfailure of tender or payment of a witness fee or mileage, unless at the\ntime of such appearance or production, as the case may be, such witness\nmakes demand for such payment as a condition precedent to the offering\nof testimony or production required by the subpoena and unless such\npayment is not thereupon made. Such provisions for payment of witness\nfee or mileage do not apply to any officer, director or person in the\nemploy of any person, partnership, corporation, company, trust or\nassociation whose conduct or practices are being investigated.\n 3. It shall be the duty of all public officers, their deputies,\nassistants, subordinates, clerks or employees and all other persons to\nrender and furnish to the attorney-general, his deputy or other\ndesignated officer when requested all information and assistance in\ntheir possession or within their power. Any officer participating in\nsuch inquiry who shall disclose to any person other than the\nattorney-general the name of any witness examined or any other\ninformation obtained upon such inquiry except as directed by the\nattorney-general shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.\n