42 U.S.C. § 1320a-4 : US Code - Section 1320A-4: Issuance of subpenas by Comptroller General

Search 42 U.S.C. § 1320a-4 : US Code - Section 1320A-4: Issuance of subpenas by Comptroller General

(a) Authorization; scope; service and proof of service
For the purpose of any audit, investigation, examination,
analysis, review, evaluation, or other function authorized by law
with respect to any program authorized under this chapter, the
Comptroller General of the United States shall have power to sign
and issue subpenas to any person requiring the production of any
pertinent books, records, documents, or other information. Subpenas
so issued by the Comptroller General shall be served by anyone
authorized by him (1) by delivering a copy thereof to the person
named therein, or (2) by registered mail or by certified mail
addressed to such person at his last dwelling place or principal
place of business. A verified return by the person so serving the
subpena setting forth the manner of service, or, in the case of
service by registered mail or by certified mail, the return post
office receipt therefor signed by the person so served, shall be
proof of service.
(b) Contumacy or refusal to obey subpena; contempt proceedings
In case of contumacy by, or refusal to obey a subpena issued
pursuant to subsection (a) of this section and duly served upon,
any person, any district court of the United States for the
judicial district in which such person charged with contumacy or
refusal to obey is found or resides or transacts business, upon
application by the Comptroller General, shall have jurisdiction to
issue an order requiring such person to produce the books, records,
documents, or other information sought by the subpena; and any
failure to obey such order of the court may be punished by the
court as a contempt thereof. In proceedings brought under this
subsection, the Comptroller General shall be represented by
attorneys employed in the Government Accountability Office or by
counsel whom he may employ without regard to the provisions of
title 5 governing appointments in the competitive service, and the
provisions of chapter 51 and subchapters III and VI of chapter 53
of such title, relating to classification and General Schedule pay
rates.
(c) Nondisclosure of personal medical records by Government
Accountability Office
No personal medical record in the possession of the Government
Accountability Office shall be subject to subpena or discovery
proceedings in a civil action.