15 U.S.C. § 1714 : US Code - Section 1714: Investigations, injunctions, and prosecution of offenses

Search 15 U.S.C. § 1714 : US Code - Section 1714: Investigations, injunctions, and prosecution of offenses

(a) Permanent or temporary injunction or restraining order;
jurisdiction
Whenever it shall appear to the Secretary that any person is
engaged or about to engage in any acts or practices which
constitute or will constitute a violation of the provisions of this
chapter, or of any rule or regulation prescribed pursuant thereto,
he may, in his discretion, bring an action in any district court of
the United States, or the United States District Court for the
District of Columbia to enjoin such acts or practices, and, upon a
proper showing, a permanent or temporary injunction or restraining
order shall be granted without bond. The Secretary may transmit
such evidence as may be available concerning such acts or practices
to the Attorney General who may, in his discretion, institute the
appropriate criminal proceedings under this chapter.
(b) Investigations; publication of information concerning
violations
The Secretary may, in his discretion, make such investigations as
he deems necessary to determine whether any person has violated or
is about to violate any provision of this chapter or any rule or
regulation prescribed pursuant thereto, and may require or permit
any person to file with him a statement in writing, under oath or
otherwise as the Secretary shall determine, as to all the facts and
circumstances concerning the matter to be investigated. The
Secretary is authorized, in his discretion, to publish information
concerning any such violations, and to investigate any facts,
conditions, practices, or matters which he may deem necessary or
proper to aid in the enforcement of the provisions of this chapter,
in the prescribing of rules and regulations thereunder, or in
securing information to serve as a basis for recommending further
legislation concerning the matters to which this chapter relates.
(c) Oaths and affirmations; subpena power
For the purpose of any such investigation, or any other
proceeding under this chapter; the Secretary, or any officer
designated by him, is empowered to administer oaths and
affirmations, subpena witnesses, compel their attendance, take
evidence, and require the production of any books, papers,
correspondence, memorandums, or other records which the Secretary
deems relevant or material to the inquiry. Such attendance of
witnesses and the production of any such records may be required
from any place in the United States or any State at any designated
place of hearing.
(d) Contempt; court order requiring attendance and testimony of
witnesses; jurisdiction
In case of contumacy by, or refusal to obey a subpena issued to,
any person, the Secretary may invoke the aid of any court of the
United States within the jurisdiction of which such investigation
or proceeding is carried on, or where such person resides or
carries on business, in requiring the attendance and testimony of
witnesses and the production of books, papers, correspondence,
memorandums, and other records and documents. And such court may
issue an order requiring such person to appear before the Secretary
or any officer designated by the Secretary, there to produce
records, if so ordered, or to give testimony touching the matter
under investigation or in question; and any failure to obey such
order of the court may be punished by such court as a contempt
thereof. All process in any such case may be served in the judicial
district whereof such person is an inhabitant or wherever he may be
found.