Sec. 36.
(1) The department in its discretion may:
(a) Make such public or private investigations within or without this state as it deems necessary to determine if a person has violated or is about to violate this act or any rule or order hereunder or to aid in the enforcement of this act or in the prescribing of rules and forms hereunder, and publish information concerning the violation of this act or any rule or order.
(b) Require or permit any person to file a statement under oath or otherwise subject to the penalties of perjury as the department requires in writing as to all the facts and circumstances concerning the matter to be investigated. Failure to reply with all required information to such a departmental letter within 15 days after receipt thereof, shall be the basis for issuance of a cease and desist order.
(2) For the purpose of an investigation or proceeding under this act, the department or any officer designated by it may administer oaths and affirmations, subpoena witnesses, compel their attendance, take evidence, and require the production of books, papers, correspondence, memoranda, agreements, or other documents or records which the department deems relevant or material to the inquiry.
(3) In case of contumacy by, or refusal to obey a subpoena issued to a person, the circuit court, upon application by the department, may issue to the person an order requiring him to appear before the department, or an officer designated by it, to produce documentary evidence, if so ordered, or to give evidence touching the matter under investigation or in question. Failure to obey the order of the court may be punished by the court as a contempt.
(4) A person is not excused from attending and testifying or from producing a document or record before the department, or in obedience to the subpoena of the department or an officer designated by it or in a proceeding instituted by the department on the ground that the testimony or evidence, documentary or otherwise, required of him may tend to incriminate him or subject him to penalty or forfeiture; but a person may not be prosecuted or subjected to a penalty or forfeiture for or on account of any transaction, matter, or thing concerning which he is compelled, after validly claiming his privilege against self-incrimination, to testify or produce evidence, documentary or otherwise, except that the person testifying is not exempt from prosecution and punishment for perjury or contempt committed in testifying.
History: 1974, Act 269, Eff. Oct. 15, 1974