5:5-31. Removal of commissioner; hearing; subpoena; fees, review
11. The Governor may remove any commissioner for inefficiency, neglect of duty or misconduct in office, giving to him a copy of the charges against him and an opportunity of being publicly heard in person or by counsel in his own defense, upon not less than fourteen days' notice either by personal service or registered mail.
The Governor shall have power to administer oaths and examine witnesses, and shall have the power to issue subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of all necessary reports, books, papers, documents, correspondence and other evidence at any designated place of hearing. The subpoenas shall be authenticated by the seal of the Governor, and any party to a proceeding before the Governor may secure from him subpoenas without charge. Misconduct on the part of a person attending a hearing or the failure of a witness when duly subpoenaed to attend, give testimony or produce any records, shall be punishable by the Superior Court in the county wherein the offense is committed in the same manner as such failure is punishable by that court in a case therein pending. The Governor shall certify such misconduct, failure to attend or produce records to the court.
The fees for the attendance of witnesses shall be the same as for the attendance of witnesses in other civil cases.
A person who, having been sworn or affirmed as a witness in any such proceeding, shall willfully give false testimony, shall be guilty of perjury.
The Governor, or any applicant, may in connection with any hearing before the Governor cause the deposition of witnesses within or without the State to be taken in the same manner as in civil actions in the Superior Court.
At the conclusion of such hearing, the Governor shall, within thirty days, make his findings.
If such commissioner shall be removed, the Governor shall file in the office of the Secretary of State a complete statement of all charges made against such commissioner and his findings thereof, together with a complete record of the proceedings, and shall give notice of his findings to such commissioner forthwith.
The action of the Governor and the propriety thereof shall be subject to review by a proceeding in lieu of prerogative writ in the Superior Court.
L.1940,c.17,s.11; amended 1953,c.6,s.7; 1991,c.91,s.183.