(a) Upon the sworn complaint of a person or on its own initiative, the Commission shall investigate possible violations of Section 1090, as provided in Section 1097.1. After complying with subdivision (b) of Section 1097.1, the Commission shall provide a written notification to the person filing a complaint in the manner described in Section 83115.
(b) The Commission shall not make a finding of probable cause to believe Section 1090 has been violated unless the Commission has notified the person who is alleged to have violated Section 1090 in the manner described in Section 83115.5.
(c) If the Commission determines there is probable cause to believe Section 1090 has been violated, it may hold a hearing to determine if a violation has occurred, subject to the requirements of subdivision (b) of Section 1097.1 and in the manner described in Section 83116.
(d) If the Commission rejects the decision of an administrative law judge made pursuant to Section 11517, the Commission shall state the reasons in writing for rejecting the decision, as required by Section 83116.3.
(e) The Commission shall have all of the subpoena powers provided in Section 83118 to assist in the performance of the Commission’s duties under this section.
(f) The Commission may refuse to excuse any person from testifying, or from producing books, records, correspondence, documents, or other evidence in obedience to the subpoena of the Commission notwithstanding an objection that the testimony or evidence required of the person may tend to incriminate the person. A person who is compelled, after having claimed the privilege against self-incrimination, to testify or produce testimonial evidence, shall not have that testimony or the testimonial evidence the person produced used against that person in a separate and subsequent prosecution. However, the individual so testifying shall not be exempt from prosecution and punishment for perjury committed in so testifying. The Commission shall not compel any person to testify or produce testimonial evidence after the person has claimed the privilege against self-incrimination unless the Commission has obtained written authorization from the Attorney General and the district attorney of the county in which the alleged violation occurred.
(g) The Commission shall not commence an administrative action pursuant to this section against a person who is subject to Section 1090 alleging a violation of that section if the Commission has commenced a civil action pursuant to Section 1097.3 against that person for the same violation. For purposes of this subdivision, the commencement of the administrative action shall be the date of the service of the probable cause hearing notice, as required by subdivision (b), upon the person alleged to have violated Section 1090.
(h) An administrative action brought pursuant to this section shall be subject to the requirements of Section 91000.5.
(Added by Stats. 2013, Ch. 650, Sec. 3. (AB 1090) Effective January 1, 2014.)