The Secretary may conduct such investigations as the Secretary considers necessary for the effective administration of this chapter, or to determine whether any person has engaged or is engaging in any act that constitutes a violation of this chapter or any order or regulation issued under this chapter.
For the purpose of conducting an investigation under subsection (a) of this section, the Secretary may administer oaths and affirmations, subpoena witnesses, compel the attendance of witnesses, take evidence, and require the production of any records that are relevant to the inquiry. The production of the records may be required from any place in the United States.
For the purpose of an administrative hearing held under section 7806(a)(2) or 7807(c)(3) of this title, the presiding officer may administer oaths and affirmations, subpoena witnesses, compel the attendance of witnesses, take evidence, and require the production of any records that are relevant to the inquiry. The attendance of witnesses and the production of the records may be required from any place in the United States.
In the case of contumacy by, or refusal to obey a subpoena issued under subsection (b) of this section to, any person, the Secretary may invoke the aid of any court of the United States within the jurisdiction of which the investigation or proceeding is conducted, or where the person resides or conducts business, in order to enforce a subpoena issued under subsection (b) of this section.
The court may issue an order requiring the person referred to in paragraph (1) to comply with a subpoena referred to in paragraph (1).
Any failure to obey the order of the court may be punished by the court as a contempt of court.
Process in any proceeding under this subsection may be served in the United States judicial district in which the person being proceeded against resides or conducts business, or wherever the person may be found.
(Pub. L. 106–387, §1(a) [title XII, §1209], Oct. 28, 2000, 114 Stat. 1549, 1549A–95.)
Sections: Previous 7801 7802 7803 7804 7805 7806 7807 7808 7809 7810 7811 7812 7813 7901 7911 Next
Last modified: October 26, 2015