2011 Wyoming Statutes
TITLE 40 - TRADE AND COMMERCE
CHAPTER 12 - CONSUMER PROTECTION
40-12-112. Investigative powers of enforcing authority.

(a) If, by inquiry by the enforcing authority or as a result of complaints, the enforcing authority has probable cause to believe that a person has engaged in, or is engaging in, an act or practice that violates this act, investigators designated by the Wyoming attorney general may administer oaths and affirmations, subpoena witnesses or matter, and collect evidence. Within five (5) days, excluding weekends and legal holidays, after the service of a subpoena or at any time before the return date specified therein, whichever is longer, the party served may file in the district court in the county in which the party resides or in which the party transacts business, or in the district court for the first judicial district of Wyoming, and serve upon the enforcing authority a petition for an order modifying or setting aside the subpoena. The petitioner may raise any objection or privilege which would be available under this act or upon service of a subpoena in a civil action. The subpoena shall inform the party served of the party's rights under this subsection.

(b) If matter that the enforcing authority seeks to obtain by subpoena is located outside the state, the person subpoenaed may make it available to the enforcing authority to examine the matter at the place where it is located. The enforcing authority may designate representatives, including officials of the state in which the matter is located, to inspect the matter on its behalf, and the enforcing authority may respond to similar requests from officials of other states.

(c) Upon failure of a person without lawful excuse to obey a subpoena and upon reasonable notice to all persons affected, the enforcing authority may apply to the district court for an order compelling compliance.

(d) The enforcing authority may request that an individual who refuses to comply with a subpoena on the ground that testimony or matter may incriminate the individual, be ordered by the court to provide the testimony or matter. Except in a prosecution for perjury, an individual who complies with a court order to provide testimony or matter after asserting a privilege against self-incrimination to which the individual is entitled by law shall not have the testimony or matter so provided, or evidence derived therefrom, received against the individual in any criminal investigation or proceeding.

(e) Any person upon whom a subpoena is served pursuant to this section shall comply with the terms thereof unless otherwise provided by order of the court. Any person who fails to appear with the intent to avoid, evade or prevent compliance in whole or in part with any investigation under this act or who removes from any place, conceals, withholds, mutilates, alters or destroys, or by any other means falsifies any documentary material in the possession, custody or control of any person subject to the subpoena, or knowingly conceals any relevant information with the intent to avoid, evade or prevent compliance is liable for a civil penalty of not more than five thousand dollars ($5,000.00), reasonable attorney's fees and costs.

(f) Whenever criminal or civil intelligence, investigative information or any other information held by any state or federal agency is available to the enforcing authority on a confidential or a similarly restricted basis, the enforcing authority, in the course of the investigation of any violation of this act, may obtain and use the information. Any intelligence or investigative information that is confidential or exempt under W.S. 16-4-201 through 16-4-205 retains its status as confidential or exempt.