Article 7. Investigations And Hearings of California Food And Agricultural Code >> Division 21. >> Part 3. >> Chapter 1. >> Article 7.

The director may, upon his or her own motion or upon the receipt of any verified complaint, investigate any transaction that involves the violation of any provision of this chapter by any person. The director may call and conduct a hearing in furtherance of that investigation.

If a hearing is called by the director, the director shall cause a copy of the complaint, together with a notice of time and place of hearing of the complaint, to be served personally or by mail upon that person. Service shall be made at least 10 days before the hearing.

The hearing shall be held in the city or place in which is situated the business location of the person that is complained of, or in which the transaction complained of is said to have occurred.

The person complained of shall, at least three days prior to the date fixed for the hearing, serve upon the complaining party and file with the director a verified answer to all the allegations which are contained in the complaint.

At the time and place which is appointed for such hearing the director shall hear the parties to such complaint, and shall enter in the office of the director at Sacramento a decision dismissing such complaint or specifying the facts which are established on such hearing. A copy of such decision shall be furnished to each of the respective parties to it.

The director may do any of the following:
  (a) Administer oaths and take testimony thereunder.
  (b) Issue subpoenas which require the attendance of witnesses before him, together with all books, memoranda, papers, and other documents, articles, or instruments.
  (c) Compel the disclosure by such witnesses of all facts which are known to them relative to the matters under investigation.

Any party that disobeys any order or subpoena of the director is guilty of contempt and shall be certified to the superior court of the state, in and for the county wherein such contempt occurs, for punishment for such contempt in accordance with Sections 11180 to 11191, inclusive, of the Government Code.

Any act of the director pursuant to any provision of this chapter may be reviewed by any court of competent jurisdiction.