Delaware § 2906 - Powers of Commissioner.

§ 2906. Powers of Commissioner.

(a) For the purpose of administering this chapter, determining whether any business contemplated by this chapter is being operated in accordance with the provisions thereof or making investigation of any complaint or alleged violation, the Commissioner and the Commissioner’s duly authorized representatives shall have power to investigate, at any time, the business and affairs and examine the books, accounts, contracts, papers, records, documents and files of every licensee and of every person who shall be engaged in business contemplated by this chapter, whether such person shall act, or claim to act, as principal or agent or under or without the authority of this chapter. For this purpose the Commissioner, or the Commissioner’s duly authorized representatives, shall have free access to the offices and places of business, books, accounts, contracts, papers, records, documents and files of all such persons.

(b) The Commissioner shall have power to issue subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of books, accounts, contracts, papers, records, documents and other evidence before the Commissioner in any matter over which the Commissioner has jurisdiction, control or supervision pertaining to this chapter. The Commissioner shall have the power to administer oaths and affirmations to any persons whose testimony is required.

(c) If any person shall refuse to obey any such subpoena, or to give testimony, or to produce evidence as required thereby, any judge of the Superior Court may, upon application and proof of such refusal, make an order awarding process of subpoena, or subpoena duces tecum, out of the Superior Court, for such witness to appear before the Commissioner and to give testimony and to produce evidence as required thereby. Upon filing such order in the office of the Prothonotary, the Prothonotary shall issue process of subpoena, as directed, under the seal of said Court, requiring the person to whom it is directed, to appear at the time and place therein designated.

(d) If any person served with any such subpoena shall refuse to obey the same, and to give testimony, and to produce evidence as required thereby, the Commissioner may apply to any judge of the Superior Court for an attachment against such person, as for a contempt. The Court, upon satisfactory proof of such refusal, shall issue an attachment directed to any constable or police officer, for the arrest of such person, and upon the person being brought before the Court, proceed to a hearing of the case. The Court shall have power to enforce obedience to such subpoena, and the answering of any question, and the production of any evidence, that may be proper, by a fine not exceeding $100, or by imprisonment for not more than 30 days, or by both fine and imprisonment, and to compel such witness to pay the costs of such proceeding as taxed by the Court.

(e) The Commissioner may make such rules and regulations, and such specific rulings, demands and findings as the Commissioner deems necessary for the enforcement of this chapter and the proper conduct of the business authorized and required to be licensed thereunder. Such rules and regulations, specific rulings, demands and findings shall be in addition to, and not inconsistent with, this chapter.

(f) If, in the Commissioner’s opinion, it is necessary for a thorough examination of a licensee, the Commissioner may retain 1 or more accountants, attorneys, appraisers or other third parties to assist the Commissioner in such examination. Within 10 days after receipt of a statement from the Commissioner, such licensee shall pay or reimburse the fees, costs and expenses of any third parties retained by the Commissioner under this subsection.

5 Del. C. 1953, §  2905;  52 Del. Laws, c. 335, §  1;  68 Del. Laws, c. 303, §  44;  70 Del. Laws, c. 6, §  14;  70 Del. Laws, c. 186, §  1;  78 Del. Laws, c. 266, §  10;