§ 47-18-7 — Investigations; powers and duties of Attorney General

(a) If the Attorney General has probable cause to believe that a person has engaged in an act which is subject to action by the Attorney General under any of the provisions of this article, he may make an investigation to determine if the act has been committed and, to the extent necessary for this purpose, may administer oaths or affirmations, and may subpoena witnesses, compel their attendance, adduce evidence, and require the production of any matter which is relevant to the investigation, including the existence, description, nature, custody, condition and location of any books, records, documents or other tangible things and the identity and location of persons having knowledge of relevant facts, or any other matter reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence.

(b) If the person's records are located outside this state, the person at his option shall either make them available to the Attorney General at a convenient location within this state or pay the reasonable and necessary expenses for the Attorney General or his representative to examine them at the place where they are maintained. The Attorney General may designate representatives, including comparable officials of the state in which the records are located, to inspect them on his behalf.

(c) Upon failure of a person without lawful excuse to obey a subpoena or to give testimony and upon reasonable notice to all persons affected thereby, the Attorney General may apply to the circuit court of the county in which the hearing is to be held for an order compelling compliance.

(d) The Attorney General shall not make public the name or identity of a person whose acts or conduct he investigates pursuant to this section or the facts disclosed in the investigation, but this subsection does not apply to disclosures in actions or enforcement proceedings pursuant to this article.

Legislative History

1978 Reg. Sess., HB1506