{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/59.1-9.10.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/59.1-9.10.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/59.1-9.10.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/59.1-9.10.html"}],"law_id":84942,"edition_id":1,"section_id":84942,"structure_id":13415,"section_number":"59.1-9.10","catch_line":"Investigation by Attorney General of suspected violations; civil investigative demand to witnesses; access to business records, etc","history":"1974, c. 545; 1982, c. 285; 2000, c. 755.","full_text":"A\n\nWhenever it shall appear to the Attorney General, either upon complaint or otherwise, that any person has engaged in, or is engaging in, or is about to engage in any act or practice prohibited by this chapter, the Attorney General may in his discretion either require or permit such person to file with him a statement in writing or otherwise, under oath, as to all facts and circumstances concerning the subject matter. The Attorney General may also require such other data and information as he may deem relevant to the subject matter of an investigation of a possible violation of this chapter and may make such special and independent investigations as he may deem necessary in connection with such matter.B\n\nIn connection with any such investigation, the Attorney General, or his designee, is empowered to issue a civil investigative demand to witnesses by which he may (i) compel the attendance of such witnesses; (ii) examine such witnesses under oath before himself or a court of record; (iii) subject to subsection C, require the production of any books or papers that he deems relevant or material to the inquiry; and (iv) issue written interrogatories to be answered by the witness served or, if the witness served is a public or private corporation or a partnership or association or governmental agency, by any officer or agent, who shall furnish such information as is available to the witness. The above investigative powers shall not abate or terminate by reason of any action or proceeding brought by the Attorney General under this chapter. When documentary material is demanded by a civil investigative demand, said demand shall not: (1) contain any requirement that would be unreasonable or improper if contained in a subpoena duces tecum issued by a court of this Commonwealth; or (2) require the disclosure of any documentary material that would be privileged, or production of which for any other reason would not be required by a subpoena duces tecum issued by a court of the Commonwealth.C\n\nWhere the information requested pursuant to a civil investigative demand may be derived or ascertained from the business records of the party upon whom the interrogatory has been served or from an examination, audit or inspection of such business records, or from a compilation, abstract or summary based therein, and the burden of deriving or ascertaining the answer is substantially the same for the Attorney General as for the party from whom such information is requested, it is sufficient for that party to specify the records from which the answer may be derived or ascertained and to afford the Attorney General, or other individuals properly designated by the Attorney General, reasonable opportunity to examine, audit or inspect such records and to make copies, compilations, abstracts or summaries. Further, the Attorney General is hereby authorized, and may so elect, to require the production pursuant to this section, of documentary material before or after the taking of any testimony of the person summoned pursuant to a civil investigative demand, in which event, said documentary matter shall be made available for inspection and copying during normal business hours at the principal place of business of the person served, or at such other time and place, as may be agreed upon by the person served and the Attorney General.D\n\nAny civil investigative demand issued by the Attorney General shall contain the following information:1\n\nThe statute and section hereof, the alleged violation of which is under investigation and the subject matter of the investigation.2\n\nThe date and place at which time the person is required to appear to produce documentary material in his possession, custody or control in the office of the Attorney General located in Richmond, Virginia. Such date shall not be less than twenty days from the date of the civil investigative demand.3\n\nWhere documentary material is required to be produced, the same shall be described by class so as to clearly indicate the material demanded.E\n\nService of civil investigative demand of the Attorney General as provided herein may be made by:1\n\nDelivery of a duly executed copy thereof to the person served, or if a person is not a natural person, to the principal place of business of the person to be served, or2\n\nMailing by certified mail, return receipt requested, a duly executed copy thereof addressed to the person to be served at his principal place of business in the Commonwealth, or if said person has no place of business in the Commonwealth, to his principal office.F\n\nWithin twenty days after the service of any such demand upon any person or enterprise, or at any time before the return date specified in the demand, whichever period is shorter, such party may file, in the Circuit Court of the City of Richmond and serve upon the Attorney General a petition for an order of such court modifying or setting aside such demand. The time allowed for compliance with the demand in whole or in part as deemed proper and ordered by the court shall not run during the pendency of such petition in the court. Such petition shall specify each ground upon which the petitioner relies in seeking such relief, and may be based upon any failure of such demand to comply with the provisions of this chapter or upon any constitutional or other legal right or privilege of such party. The provisions of this subsection shall be the exclusive means for a witness summoned pursuant to a civil investigative demand under this section to challenge a civil investigative demand issued pursuant to subsection B.G\n\nThe examination of all witnesses under this section shall be conducted by the Attorney General, or his designee, before an officer authorized to administer oaths in this Commonwealth. The testimony shall be taken stenographically or by a sound recording device and shall be transcribed.H\n\nAny person required to testify or to submit documentary evidence shall be entitled, on payment of lawfully prescribed cost, to procure a copy of any document produced by such person and of his own testimony as stenographically reported or, in the case of depositions, as reduced to writing by or under the direction of a person taking the deposition. Any party compelled to testify or to produce documentary evidence may be accompanied and advised by counsel, but counsel may not, as a matter of right, otherwise participate in the investigation.I\n\nAll persons served with a civil investigative demand by the Attorney General under this chapter, other than any person or persons whose conduct or practices are being investigated or any officer, director or person in the employ of such person under investigation, shall be paid the same fees and mileage as paid witnesses in the courts of this Commonwealth. No person shall be excused from attending such inquiry pursuant to the mandate of a civil investigative demand, or from producing a paper or from being examined or required to answer questions on the ground of failure to tender or pay a witness fee or mileage unless demand therefor is made at the time testimony is about to be taken and as a condition precedent to offering such production or testimony and unless payment thereof is not thereupon made.J\n\nAny natural person who shall neglect or refuse to attend and testify, or to answer any lawful inquiry or to produce documentary evidence, if in his power to do so, in obedience of a civil investigative demand or lawful request of the Attorney General or those properly authorized by the Attorney General, pursuant to this section, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof by a court of competent jurisdiction shall be punished by a fine of not more than $5,000, or by imprisonment in jail for not more than one year, or both such fine and imprisonment.\n\t\t\tAny natural person who commits perjury or false swearing or contempt in answering, or failing to answer, or in producing evidence or failing to do so in accordance with a civil investigative demand or lawful request by the Attorney General, pursuant to this section, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction therefor by a court of competent jurisdiction shall be punished by a fine of not more than $5,000, or by imprisonment in jail for not more than one year, or both such fine and imprisonment.K\n\nIn any investigation brought by the Attorney General pursuant to this chapter, no individual shall be excused from attending, testifying or producing documentary material, objects or intangible things in obedience to a civil investigative demand or under order of the court on the ground that the testimony or evidence required of him may tend to incriminate him or subject him to any penalty, but no testimony or other information compelled either by the Attorney General or under order of the court, or any information directly or indirectly derived from such testimony or other information, may be used against the individual or witness in any criminal case. However, he may nevertheless be prosecuted or subjected to penalty or forfeiture for any perjury, false swearing or contempt committed in answering, or failing to answer, or in producing evidence or failing to do so in accordance with the order of the Attorney General or the court. If an individual refuses to testify or produce evidence after being granted immunity from prosecution and after being ordered to testify or produce evidence as aforesaid, he may be adjudged in civil contempt by a court of competent jurisdiction and committed to the county jail until such time as he purges himself of contempt by testifying, producing evidence or presenting a written statement as ordered. The foregoing shall not prevent the Attorney General from instituting other appropriate contempt proceedings against any person who violates any of the above provisions.L\n\nIt shall be the duty of all public officials, both state and local, their deputies, assistants, clerks, subordinates or employees, and all other persons to render and furnish to the Attorney General, his deputy or other designated representative, when so requested, all information and assistance in their possession or within their power. Any officer participating in such inquiry and any person examined as a witness upon such inquiry who shall disclose to any such person other than the Attorney General the name of any witness examined or any other information obtained upon such inquiry, except as so directed by the Attorney General, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to the sanctions prescribed in subsection J. Such inquiry may upon written authorization of the Attorney General be made public.M\n\nThe Attorney General may promulgate rules and regulations to implement and carry out the provisions of this section.N\n\nIt shall be the duty of the Attorney General, or his designees, to maintain the secrecy of all evidence, testimony, documents or other results of such investigations. Violation of this subsection shall be a misdemeanor. Nothing herein contained shall be construed to prevent (i) the disclosure of any such investigative evidence by the Attorney General in his discretion to any federal or state law-enforcement authority that has restrictions governing confidentiality similar to those contained in this subsection or (ii) the presentation and disclosure of any such investigative evidence by the Attorney General, in his discretion, in any action or proceeding brought by the Attorney General under this chapter.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":304350,"text":"Whenever it shall appear to the Attorney General, either upon complaint or otherwise, that any person has engaged in, or is engaging in, or is about to engage in any act or practice prohibited by this chapter, the Attorney General may in his discretion either require or permit such person to file with him a statement in writing or otherwise, under oath, as to all facts and circumstances concerning the subject matter. The Attorney General may also require such other data and information as he may deem relevant to the subject matter of an investigation of a possible violation of this chapter and may make such special and independent investigations as he may deem necessary in connection with such matter.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":304351,"text":"In connection with any such investigation, the Attorney General, or his designee, is empowered to issue a civil investigative demand to witnesses by which he may (i) compel the attendance of such witnesses; (ii) examine such witnesses under oath before himself or a court of record; (iii) subject to subsection C, require the production of any books or papers that he deems relevant or material to the inquiry; and (iv) issue written interrogatories to be answered by the witness served or, if the witness served is a public or private corporation or a partnership or association or governmental agency, by any officer or agent, who shall furnish such information as is available to the witness. The above investigative powers shall not abate or terminate by reason of any action or proceeding brought by the Attorney General under this chapter. When documentary material is demanded by a civil investigative demand, said demand shall not: (1) contain any requirement that would be unreasonable or improper if contained in a subpoena duces tecum issued by a court of this Commonwealth; or (2) require the disclosure of any documentary material that would be privileged, or production of which for any other reason would not be required by a subpoena duces tecum issued by a court of the Commonwealth.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":304352,"text":"Where the information requested pursuant to a civil investigative demand may be derived or ascertained from the business records of the party upon whom the interrogatory has been served or from an examination, audit or inspection of such business records, or from a compilation, abstract or summary based therein, and the burden of deriving or ascertaining the answer is substantially the same for the Attorney General as for the party from whom such information is requested, it is sufficient for that party to specify the records from which the answer may be derived or ascertained and to afford the Attorney General, or other individuals properly designated by the Attorney General, reasonable opportunity to examine, audit or inspect such records and to make copies, compilations, abstracts or summaries. Further, the Attorney General is hereby authorized, and may so elect, to require the production pursuant to this section, of documentary material before or after the taking of any testimony of the person summoned pursuant to a civil investigative demand, in which event, said documentary matter shall be made available for inspection and copying during normal business hours at the principal place of business of the person served, or at such other time and place, as may be agreed upon by the person served and the Attorney General.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":304353,"text":"Any civil investigative demand issued by the Attorney General shall contain the following information:","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"D1"},"4":{"id":304354,"text":"The statute and section hereof, the alleged violation of which is under investigation and the subject matter of the investigation.","type":"section","prefixes":["D","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"D1","prefix_anchor":"D1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"D","next_prefix":"D2"},"5":{"id":304355,"text":"The date and place at which time the person is required to appear to produce documentary material in his possession, custody or control in the office of the Attorney General located in Richmond, Virginia. Such date shall not be less than twenty days from the date of the civil investigative demand.","type":"section","prefixes":["D","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"D2","prefix_anchor":"D2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"D1","next_prefix":"D3"},"6":{"id":304356,"text":"Where documentary material is required to be produced, the same shall be described by class so as to clearly indicate the material demanded.","type":"section","prefixes":["D","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"D3","prefix_anchor":"D3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"D2","next_prefix":"E"},"7":{"id":304357,"text":"Service of civil investigative demand of the Attorney General as provided herein may be made by:","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D3","next_prefix":"E1"},"8":{"id":304358,"text":"Delivery of a duly executed copy thereof to the person served, or if a person is not a natural person, to the principal place of business of the person to be served, or","type":"section","prefixes":["E","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"E1","prefix_anchor":"E1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"E","next_prefix":"E2"},"9":{"id":304359,"text":"Mailing by certified mail, return receipt requested, a duly executed copy thereof addressed to the person to be served at his principal place of business in the Commonwealth, or if said person has no place of business in the Commonwealth, to his principal office.","type":"section","prefixes":["E","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"E2","prefix_anchor":"E2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"E1","next_prefix":"F"},"10":{"id":304360,"text":"Within twenty days after the service of any such demand upon any person or enterprise, or at any time before the return date specified in the demand, whichever period is shorter, such party may file, in the Circuit Court of the City of Richmond and serve upon the Attorney General a petition for an order of such court modifying or setting aside such demand. The time allowed for compliance with the demand in whole or in part as deemed proper and ordered by the court shall not run during the pendency of such petition in the court. Such petition shall specify each ground upon which the petitioner relies in seeking such relief, and may be based upon any failure of such demand to comply with the provisions of this chapter or upon any constitutional or other legal right or privilege of such party. The provisions of this subsection shall be the exclusive means for a witness summoned pursuant to a civil investigative demand under this section to challenge a civil investigative demand issued pursuant to subsection B.","type":"section","prefixes":["F"],"prefix":"F","entire_prefix":"F","prefix_anchor":"F","level":1,"prior_prefix":"E2","next_prefix":"G"},"11":{"id":304361,"text":"The examination of all witnesses under this section shall be conducted by the Attorney General, or his designee, before an officer authorized to administer oaths in this Commonwealth. The testimony shall be taken stenographically or by a sound recording device and shall be transcribed.","type":"section","prefixes":["G"],"prefix":"G","entire_prefix":"G","prefix_anchor":"G","level":1,"prior_prefix":"F","next_prefix":"H"},"12":{"id":304362,"text":"Any person required to testify or to submit documentary evidence shall be entitled, on payment of lawfully prescribed cost, to procure a copy of any document produced by such person and of his own testimony as stenographically reported or, in the case of depositions, as reduced to writing by or under the direction of a person taking the deposition. Any party compelled to testify or to produce documentary evidence may be accompanied and advised by counsel, but counsel may not, as a matter of right, otherwise participate in the investigation.","type":"section","prefixes":["H"],"prefix":"H","entire_prefix":"H","prefix_anchor":"H","level":1,"prior_prefix":"G","next_prefix":"I"},"13":{"id":304363,"text":"All persons served with a civil investigative demand by the Attorney General under this chapter, other than any person or persons whose conduct or practices are being investigated or any officer, director or person in the employ of such person under investigation, shall be paid the same fees and mileage as paid witnesses in the courts of this Commonwealth. No person shall be excused from attending such inquiry pursuant to the mandate of a civil investigative demand, or from producing a paper or from being examined or required to answer questions on the ground of failure to tender or pay a witness fee or mileage unless demand therefor is made at the time testimony is about to be taken and as a condition precedent to offering such production or testimony and unless payment thereof is not thereupon made.","type":"section","prefixes":["I"],"prefix":"I","entire_prefix":"I","prefix_anchor":"I","level":1,"prior_prefix":"H","next_prefix":"J"},"14":{"id":304364,"text":"Any natural person who shall neglect or refuse to attend and testify, or to answer any lawful inquiry or to produce documentary evidence, if in his power to do so, in obedience of a civil investigative demand or lawful request of the Attorney General or those properly authorized by the Attorney General, pursuant to this section, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof by a court of competent jurisdiction shall be punished by a fine of not more than $5,000, or by imprisonment in jail for not more than one year, or both such fine and imprisonment.\n\t\t\tAny natural person who commits perjury or false swearing or contempt in answering, or failing to answer, or in producing evidence or failing to do so in accordance with a civil investigative demand or lawful request by the Attorney General, pursuant to this section, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction therefor by a court of competent jurisdiction shall be punished by a fine of not more than $5,000, or by imprisonment in jail for not more than one year, or both such fine and imprisonment.","type":"section","prefixes":["J"],"prefix":"J","entire_prefix":"J","prefix_anchor":"J","level":1,"prior_prefix":"I","next_prefix":"K"},"15":{"id":304365,"text":"In any investigation brought by the Attorney General pursuant to this chapter, no individual shall be excused from attending, testifying or producing documentary material, objects or intangible things in obedience to a civil investigative demand or under order of the court on the ground that the testimony or evidence required of him may tend to incriminate him or subject him to any penalty, but no testimony or other information compelled either by the Attorney General or under order of the court, or any information directly or indirectly derived from such testimony or other information, may be used against the individual or witness in any criminal case. However, he may nevertheless be prosecuted or subjected to penalty or forfeiture for any perjury, false swearing or contempt committed in answering, or failing to answer, or in producing evidence or failing to do so in accordance with the order of the Attorney General or the court. If an individual refuses to testify or produce evidence after being granted immunity from prosecution and after being ordered to testify or produce evidence as aforesaid, he may be adjudged in civil contempt by a court of competent jurisdiction and committed to the county jail until such time as he purges himself of contempt by testifying, producing evidence or presenting a written statement as ordered. The foregoing shall not prevent the Attorney General from instituting other appropriate contempt proceedings against any person who violates any of the above provisions.","type":"section","prefixes":["K"],"prefix":"K","entire_prefix":"K","prefix_anchor":"K","level":1,"prior_prefix":"J","next_prefix":"L"},"16":{"id":304366,"text":"It shall be the duty of all public officials, both state and local, their deputies, assistants, clerks, subordinates or employees, and all other persons to render and furnish to the Attorney General, his deputy or other designated representative, when so requested, all information and assistance in their possession or within their power. Any officer participating in such inquiry and any person examined as a witness upon such inquiry who shall disclose to any such person other than the Attorney General the name of any witness examined or any other information obtained upon such inquiry, except as so directed by the Attorney General, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to the sanctions prescribed in subsection J. Such inquiry may upon written authorization of the Attorney General be made public.","type":"section","prefixes":["L"],"prefix":"L","entire_prefix":"L","prefix_anchor":"L","level":1,"prior_prefix":"K","next_prefix":"M"},"17":{"id":304367,"text":"The Attorney General may promulgate rules and regulations to implement and carry out the provisions of this section.","type":"section","prefixes":["M"],"prefix":"M","entire_prefix":"M","prefix_anchor":"M","level":1,"prior_prefix":"L","next_prefix":"N"},"18":{"id":304368,"text":"It shall be the duty of the Attorney General, or his designees, to maintain the secrecy of all evidence, testimony, documents or other results of such investigations. Violation of this subsection shall be a misdemeanor. Nothing herein contained shall be construed to prevent (i) the disclosure of any such investigative evidence by the Attorney General in his discretion to any federal or state law-enforcement authority that has restrictions governing confidentiality similar to those contained in this subsection or (ii) the presentation and disclosure of any such investigative evidence by the Attorney General, in his discretion, in any action or proceeding brought by the Attorney General under this chapter.","type":"section","prefixes":["N"],"prefix":"N","entire_prefix":"N","prefix_anchor":"N","level":1,"prior_prefix":"M"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13415,"edition_id":1,"name":"Virginia Antitrust Act","identifier":"1.1","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12809,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:51","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:51","permalink":{"id":259529,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13415,"identifier":"1.1","token":"59.1\/1.1","url":"\/59.1\/1.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12809,"edition_id":1,"name":"Trade and Commerce","identifier":"59.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:54","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:54","permalink":{"id":259521,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12809,"identifier":"59.1","token":"59.1","url":"\/59.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":77271,"structure_id":13415,"section_number":"59.1-9.1","catch_line":"Short title","url":"\/59.1-9.1\/","token":"59.1\/1.1\/59.1-9.1","metadata":false},{"id":84942,"structure_id":13415,"section_number":"59.1-9.10","catch_line":"Investigation by Attorney General of suspected violations; 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injunctive and other equitable relief; damages","url":"\/59.1-9.15\/","token":"59.1\/1.1\/59.1-9.15","metadata":false},{"id":55323,"structure_id":13415,"section_number":"59.1-9.16","catch_line":"Remedies cumulative","url":"\/59.1-9.16\/","token":"59.1\/1.1\/59.1-9.16","metadata":false},{"id":69901,"structure_id":13415,"section_number":"59.1-9.17","catch_line":"Construction of chapter","url":"\/59.1-9.17\/","token":"59.1\/1.1\/59.1-9.17","metadata":false},{"id":71903,"structure_id":13415,"section_number":"59.1-9.18","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/59.1-9.18\/","token":"59.1\/1.1\/59.1-9.18","metadata":false},{"id":86225,"structure_id":13415,"section_number":"59.1-9.2","catch_line":"Purpose of chapter","url":"\/59.1-9.2\/","token":"59.1\/1.1\/59.1-9.2","metadata":false},{"id":66922,"structure_id":13415,"section_number":"59.1-9.3","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/59.1-9.3\/","token":"59.1\/1.1\/59.1-9.3","metadata":false},{"id":73922,"structure_id":13415,"section_number":"59.1-9.4","catch_line":"Certain activities not prohibited","url":"\/59.1-9.4\/","token":"59.1\/1.1\/59.1-9.4","metadata":false},{"id":82412,"structure_id":13415,"section_number":"59.1-9.5","catch_line":"Contracts, etc., in restraint of trade unlawful","url":"\/59.1-9.5\/","token":"59.1\/1.1\/59.1-9.5","metadata":false},{"id":54385,"structure_id":13415,"section_number":"59.1-9.6","catch_line":"Monopolies unlawful","url":"\/59.1-9.6\/","token":"59.1\/1.1\/59.1-9.6","metadata":false},{"id":58709,"structure_id":13415,"section_number":"59.1-9.7","catch_line":"Discriminatory practices unlawful; proof; payment or acceptance of certain commissions, etc., unlawful","url":"\/59.1-9.7\/","token":"59.1\/1.1\/59.1-9.7","metadata":false},{"id":67365,"structure_id":13415,"section_number":"59.1-9.8","catch_line":"Forum; restraining orders and injunctions; penalties","url":"\/59.1-9.8\/","token":"59.1\/1.1\/59.1-9.8","metadata":false},{"id":66322,"structure_id":13415,"section_number":"59.1-9.9","catch_line":"Venue","url":"\/59.1-9.9\/","token":"59.1\/1.1\/59.1-9.9","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":77271,"structure_id":13415,"section_number":"59.1-9.1","catch_line":"Short title","url":"\/59.1-9.1\/","token":"59.1\/1.1\/59.1-9.1","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":66435,"structure_id":13415,"section_number":"59.1-9.11","catch_line":"Penalty for flagrant violations","url":"\/59.1-9.11\/","token":"59.1\/1.1\/59.1-9.11","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/59.1-9.10\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1974. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 545 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1974 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 2 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1982, chapter 285; in 2000, chapter 755<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":54665,"section_number":"2.2-511.1","catch_line":"Public integrity; law-enforcement misconduct","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-511.1\/"},{"id":87099,"section_number":"57-59","catch_line":"Enforcement of chapter; seizure of property connected with terrorism; penalties","order_by":null,"url":"\/57-59\/"},{"id":80041,"section_number":"59.1-201.1","catch_line":"Attorney General empowered to issue civil investigative demands","order_by":null,"url":"\/59.1-201.1\/"},{"id":65678,"section_number":"59.1-215.3","catch_line":"Enforcement; remedies; civil investigative demands; assurances of voluntary compliance; restraining prohibited acts","order_by":null,"url":"\/59.1-215.3\/"},{"id":83476,"section_number":"59.1-466.7","catch_line":"Enforcement; penalties","order_by":null,"url":"\/59.1-466.7\/"},{"id":65267,"section_number":"59.1-516","catch_line":"Investigative authority","order_by":null,"url":"\/59.1-516\/"},{"id":83422,"section_number":"59.1-583","catch_line":"Investigative authority","order_by":null,"url":"\/59.1-583\/"},{"id":61312,"section_number":"59.1-601","catch_line":"Enforcement; civil penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/59.1-601\/"},{"id":82107,"section_number":"6.2-1537","catch_line":"Authority of Attorney General; impoundment of property and receivership","order_by":null,"url":"\/6.2-1537\/"},{"id":62961,"section_number":"6.2-1629","catch_line":"Prohibited practices; authority of the Attorney General","order_by":null,"url":"\/6.2-1629\/"},{"id":63154,"section_number":"6.2-2620","catch_line":"Investigating and restraining prohibited acts","order_by":null,"url":"\/6.2-2620\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":259535,"object_type":"law","relational_id":84942,"identifier":"59.1-9.10","token":"59.1\/1.1\/59.1-9.10","url":"\/59.1-9.10\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/59.1-9.10\/","token":"59.1\/1.1\/59.1-9.10","dublin_core":{"Title":"Investigation by Attorney General of suspected violations; civil investigative demand to witnesses; access to business records, etc","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 59.1-9.10","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Whenever it shall appear to the Attorney General<\/span>, either upon complaint or otherwise, that any person<\/span> has engaged in, or is engaging in, or is about to engage in any act or practice prohibited by this chapter, the Attorney General<\/span> may in his discretion either require or permit such person<\/span> to file with him a statement in writing or otherwise, under oath<\/span>, as to all facts<\/span> and circumstances concerning the subject matter. The Attorney General<\/span> may also require such other data and information as he may deem relevant to the subject matter of an investigation of a possible violation of this chapter and may make such special and independent investigations as he may deem necessary in connection with such matter. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> In connection with any such investigation, the Attorney General<\/span>, or his designee, is empowered to issue<\/span> a civil investigative demand to witnesses by which he may (i) compel the attendance of such witnesses; (ii) examine such witnesses under oath<\/span> before himself or a court<\/span> of record; (iii) subject to subsection C, require the production of any books or papers that he deems relevant or material<\/span> to the inquiry; and (iv) issue<\/span> written interrogatories<\/span> to be answered by the witness<\/span> served or, if the witness<\/span> served is a public or private corporation or a partnership or association or governmental agency, by any officer or agent, who shall furnish such information as is available to the witness<\/span>. The above investigative powers shall not abate or terminate by reason of any action or proceeding brought by the Attorney General<\/span> under this chapter. When documentary material<\/span> is demanded by a civil investigative demand, said demand shall not: (1) contain any requirement that would be unreasonable or improper if contained in a subpoena duces tecum<\/span> issued by a court<\/span> of this Commonwealth; or (2) require the disclosure of any documentary material<\/span> that would be privileged, or production of which for any other reason would not be required by a subpoena duces tecum<\/span> issued by a court<\/span> of the Commonwealth. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> Where the information requested pursuant to a civil investigative demand may be derived or ascertained from the business records of the party<\/span> upon whom the interrogatory<\/span> has been served or from an examination, audit or inspection of such business records, or from a compilation, abstract or summary based therein, and the burden of deriving or ascertaining the answer is substantially the same for the Attorney General<\/span> as for the party<\/span> from whom such information is requested, it is sufficient for that party<\/span> to specify the records from which the answer may be derived or ascertained and to afford the Attorney General<\/span>, or other individuals properly designated by the Attorney General<\/span>, reasonable opportunity to examine, audit or inspect such records and to make copies, compilations, abstracts or summaries. Further, the Attorney General<\/span> is hereby authorized, and may so elect, to require the production pursuant to this section, of documentary material<\/span> before or after the taking of any testimony<\/span> of the person<\/span> summoned pursuant to a civil investigative demand, in which event, said documentary matter shall be made available for inspection and copying during normal business hours at the principal place of business of the person<\/span> served, or at such other time and place, as may be agreed upon by the person<\/span> served and the Attorney General<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> Any civil investigative demand issued by the Attorney General<\/span> shall contain the following information: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> The statute<\/span> and section hereof, the alleged violation of which is under investigation and the subject matter of the investigation. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> The date and place at which time the person<\/span> is required to appear to produce documentary material<\/span> in his possession<\/span>, custody<\/span> or control in the office of the Attorney General<\/span> located in Richmond, Virginia. Such date shall not be less than twenty days from the date of the civil investigative demand. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> Where documentary material<\/span> is required to be produced, the same shall be described by class so as to clearly indicate the material<\/span> demanded. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> Service<\/span> of civil investigative demand of the Attorney General<\/span> as provided herein may be made by: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Delivery of a duly executed copy thereof to the person<\/span> served, or if a person<\/span> is not a natural person<\/span>, to the principal place of business of the person<\/span> to be served, or <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Mailing by certified mail, return receipt requested, a duly executed copy thereof addressed to the person<\/span> to be served at his principal place of business in the Commonwealth, or if said person<\/span> has no place of business in the Commonwealth, to his principal office. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

F.<\/span> Within twenty days after the service<\/span> of any such demand upon any person<\/span> or enterprise, or at any time before the return date specified in the demand, whichever period is shorter, such party<\/span> may file, in the Circuit<\/span> Court<\/span> of the City of Richmond and serve upon the Attorney General<\/span> a petition<\/span> for an order<\/span> of such court<\/span> modifying or setting aside such demand. The time allowed for compliance with the demand in whole or in part as deemed proper and ordered by the court<\/span> shall not run during the pendency of such petition<\/span> in the court<\/span>. Such petition<\/span> shall specify each ground upon which the petitioner relies in seeking such relief, and may be based upon any failure of such demand to comply with the provisions of this chapter or upon any constitutional or other legal right or privilege<\/span> of such party<\/span>. The provisions of this subsection shall be the exclusive means for a witness<\/span> summoned pursuant to a civil investigative demand under this section to challenge a civil investigative demand issued pursuant to subsection B. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

G.<\/span> The examination of all witnesses under this section shall be conducted by the Attorney General<\/span>, or his designee, before an officer authorized to administer oaths<\/span> in this Commonwealth. The testimony<\/span> shall be taken stenographically or by a sound recording device and shall be transcribed. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

H.<\/span> Any person<\/span> required to testify or to submit documentary evidence<\/span> shall be entitled, on payment of lawfully prescribed cost, to procure a copy of any document produced by such person<\/span> and of his own testimony<\/span> as stenographically reported or, in the case of depositions<\/span>, as reduced to writing by or under the direction of a person<\/span> taking the deposition<\/span>. Any party<\/span> compelled to testify or to produce documentary evidence<\/span> may be accompanied and advised by counsel<\/span>, but counsel<\/span> may not, as a matter of right, otherwise participate in the investigation. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

I.<\/span> All persons<\/span> served with a civil investigative demand by the Attorney General<\/span> under this chapter, other than any person<\/span> or persons<\/span> whose conduct or practices are being investigated or any officer, director or person<\/span> in the employ of such person<\/span> under investigation, shall be paid the same fees and mileage as paid witnesses in the courts<\/span> of this Commonwealth. No person<\/span> shall be excused from attending such inquiry pursuant to the mandate<\/span> of a civil investigative demand, or from producing a paper or from being examined or required to answer questions on the ground of failure to tender or pay a witness<\/span> fee or mileage unless demand therefor is made at the time testimony<\/span> is about to be taken and as a condition precedent<\/span> to offering such production or testimony<\/span> and unless payment thereof is not thereupon made. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

J.<\/span> Any natural person<\/span> who shall neglect or refuse to attend and testify, or to answer any lawful inquiry or to produce documentary evidence<\/span>, if in his power to do so, in obedience of a civil investigative demand or lawful request of the Attorney General<\/span> or those properly authorized by the Attorney General<\/span>, pursuant to this section, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor<\/span> and upon conviction<\/span> thereof by a court<\/span> of competent jurisdiction<\/span> shall be punished by a fine of not more than $5,000, or by imprisonment in jail for not more than one year, or both such fine and imprisonment.\n\t\t\tAny natural person<\/span> who commits perjury<\/span> or false swearing or contempt<\/span> in answering, or failing to answer, or in producing evidence<\/span> or failing to do so in accordance with a civil investigative demand or lawful request by the Attorney General<\/span>, pursuant to this section, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor<\/span> and upon conviction<\/span> therefor by a court<\/span> of competent jurisdiction<\/span> shall be punished by a fine of not more than $5,000, or by imprisonment in jail for not more than one year, or both such fine and imprisonment. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

K.<\/span> In any investigation brought by the Attorney General<\/span> pursuant to this chapter, no individual shall be excused from attending, testifying or producing documentary material<\/span>, objects<\/span> or intangible things in obedience to a civil investigative demand or under order<\/span> of the court<\/span> on the ground that the testimony<\/span> or evidence<\/span> required of him may tend to incriminate<\/span> him or subject him to any penalty<\/span>, but no testimony<\/span> or other information compelled either by the Attorney General<\/span> or under order<\/span> of the court<\/span>, or any information directly or indirectly derived from such testimony<\/span> or other information, may be used against the individual or witness<\/span> in any criminal case. However, he may nevertheless be prosecuted or subjected to penalty<\/span> or forfeiture for any perjury<\/span>, false swearing or contempt committed in answering, or failing to answer, or in producing evidence<\/span> or failing to do so in accordance with the order<\/span> of the Attorney General<\/span> or the court<\/span>. If an individual refuses to testify or produce evidence<\/span> after being granted immunity from prosecution<\/span> and after being ordered to testify or produce evidence<\/span> as aforesaid, he may be adjudged in civil contempt<\/span> by a court<\/span> of competent jurisdiction<\/span> and committed to the county jail<\/span> until such time as he purges himself of contempt by testifying, producing evidence<\/span> or presenting a written statement as ordered. The foregoing shall not prevent the Attorney General<\/span> from instituting other appropriate contempt proceedings against any person<\/span> who violates any of the above provisions. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

L.<\/span> It shall be the duty of all public officials, both state and local, their deputies, assistants, clerks, subordinates or employees, and all other persons<\/span> to render and furnish to the Attorney General<\/span>, his deputy or other designated representative, when so requested, all information and assistance in their possession<\/span> or within their power. Any officer participating in such inquiry and any person<\/span> examined as a witness<\/span> upon such inquiry who shall disclose to any such person<\/span> other than the Attorney General<\/span> the name of any witness<\/span> examined or any other information obtained upon such inquiry, except as so directed by the Attorney General<\/span>, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor<\/span> and subject to the sanctions<\/span> prescribed in subsection J. Such inquiry may upon written authorization of the Attorney General<\/span> be made public. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

M.<\/span> The Attorney General<\/span> may promulgate rules and regulations to implement and carry out the provisions of this section. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

N.<\/span> It shall be the duty of the Attorney General<\/span>, or his designees, to maintain the secrecy of all evidence<\/span>, testimony<\/span>, documents or other results of such investigations. Violation of this subsection shall be a misdemeanor<\/span>. Nothing herein contained shall be construed to prevent (i) the disclosure of any such investigative evidence<\/span> by the Attorney General<\/span> in his discretion to any federal or state law<\/span>-enforcement authority that has restrictions governing confidentiality similar to those contained in this subsection or (ii) the presentation and disclosure of any such investigative evidence<\/span> by the Attorney General<\/span>, in his discretion, in any action or proceeding brought by the Attorney General<\/span> under this chapter. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nINVESTIGATION BY ATTORNEY GENERAL OF SUSPECTED VIOLATIONS; CIVIL INVESTIGATIVE\nDEMAND TO WITNESSES; ACCESS TO BUSINESS RECORDS, ETC (\u00a7 59.1-9.10)\n\nA. Whenever it shall appear to the Attorney General, either upon complaint or\notherwise, that any person has engaged in, or is engaging in, or is about to\nengage in any act or practice prohibited by this chapter, the Attorney General\nmay in his discretion either require or permit such person to file with him a\nstatement in writing or otherwise, under oath, as to all facts and circumstances\nconcerning the subject matter. The Attorney General may also require such other\ndata and information as he may deem relevant to the subject matter of an\ninvestigation of a possible violation of this chapter and may make such special\nand independent investigations as he may deem necessary in connection with such\nmatter.\n\nB. In connection with any such investigation, the Attorney General, or his\ndesignee, is empowered to issue a civil investigative demand to witnesses by\nwhich he may (i) compel the attendance of such witnesses; (ii) examine such\nwitnesses under oath before himself or a court of record; (iii) subject to\nsubsection C, require the production of any books or papers that he deems\nrelevant or material to the inquiry; and (iv) issue written interrogatories to\nbe answered by the witness served or, if the witness served is a public or\nprivate corporation or a partnership or association or governmental agency, by\nany officer or agent, who shall furnish such information as is available to the\nwitness. The above investigative powers shall not abate or terminate by reason\nof any action or proceeding brought by the Attorney General under this chapter.\nWhen documentary material is demanded by a civil investigative demand, said\ndemand shall not: (1) contain any requirement that would be unreasonable or\nimproper if contained in a subpoena duces tecum issued by a court of this\nCommonwealth; or (2) require the disclosure of any documentary material that\nwould be privileged, or production of which for any other reason would not be\nrequired by a subpoena duces tecum issued by a court of the Commonwealth.\n\nC. Where the information requested pursuant to a civil investigative demand may\nbe derived or ascertained from the business records of the party upon whom the\ninterrogatory has been served or from an examination, audit or inspection of\nsuch business records, or from a compilation, abstract or summary based therein,\nand the burden of deriving or ascertaining the answer is substantially the same\nfor the Attorney General as for the party from whom such information is\nrequested, it is sufficient for that party to specify the records from which the\nanswer may be derived or ascertained and to afford the Attorney General, or\nother individuals properly designated by the Attorney General, reasonable\nopportunity to examine, audit or inspect such records and to make copies,\ncompilations, abstracts or summaries. Further, the Attorney General is hereby\nauthorized, and may so elect, to require the production pursuant to this\nsection, of documentary material before or after the taking of any testimony of\nthe person summoned pursuant to a civil investigative demand, in which event,\nsaid documentary matter shall be made available for inspection and copying\nduring normal business hours at the principal place of business of the person\nserved, or at such other time and place, as may be agreed upon by the person\nserved and the Attorney General.\n\nD. Any civil investigative demand issued by the Attorney General shall contain\nthe following information:\n\n 1. The statute and section hereof, the alleged violation of which is under\n investigation and the subject matter of the investigation.\n\n 2. The date and place at which time the person is required to appear to\n produce documentary material in his possession, custody or control in the\n office of the Attorney General located in Richmond, Virginia. Such date shall\n not be less than twenty days from the date of the civil investigative demand.\n\n 3. Where documentary material is required to be produced, the same shall be\n described by class so as to clearly indicate the material demanded.\n\nE. Service of civil investigative demand of the Attorney General as provided\nherein may be made by:\n\n 1. Delivery of a duly executed copy thereof to the person served, or if a\n person is not a natural person, to the principal place of business of the\n person to be served, or\n\n 2. Mailing by certified mail, return receipt requested, a duly executed copy\n thereof addressed to the person to be served at his principal place of\n business in the Commonwealth, or if said person has no place of business in\n the Commonwealth, to his principal office.\n\nF. Within twenty days after the service of any such demand upon any person or\nenterprise, or at any time before the return date specified in the demand,\nwhichever period is shorter, such party may file, in the Circuit Court of the\nCity of Richmond and serve upon the Attorney General a petition for an order of\nsuch court modifying or setting aside such demand. The time allowed for\ncompliance with the demand in whole or in part as deemed proper and ordered by\nthe court shall not run during the pendency of such petition in the court. Such\npetition shall specify each ground upon which the petitioner relies in seeking\nsuch relief, and may be based upon any failure of such demand to comply with the\nprovisions of this chapter or upon any constitutional or other legal right or\nprivilege of such party. The provisions of this subsection shall be the\nexclusive means for a witness summoned pursuant to a civil investigative demand\nunder this section to challenge a civil investigative demand issued pursuant to\nsubsection B.\n\nG. The examination of all witnesses under this section shall be conducted by the\nAttorney General, or his designee, before an officer authorized to administer\noaths in this Commonwealth. The testimony shall be taken stenographically or by\na sound recording device and shall be transcribed.\n\nH. Any person required to testify or to submit documentary evidence shall be\nentitled, on payment of lawfully prescribed cost, to procure a copy of any\ndocument produced by such person and of his own testimony as stenographically\nreported or, in the case of depositions, as reduced to writing by or under the\ndirection of a person taking the deposition. Any party compelled to testify or\nto produce documentary evidence may be accompanied and advised by counsel, but\ncounsel may not, as a matter of right, otherwise participate in the\ninvestigation.\n\nI. All persons served with a civil investigative demand by the Attorney General\nunder this chapter, other than any person or persons whose conduct or practices\nare being investigated or any officer, director or person in the employ of such\nperson under investigation, shall be paid the same fees and mileage as paid\nwitnesses in the courts of this Commonwealth. No person shall be excused from\nattending such inquiry pursuant to the mandate of a civil investigative demand,\nor from producing a paper or from being examined or required to answer questions\non the ground of failure to tender or pay a witness fee or mileage unless demand\ntherefor is made at the time testimony is about to be taken and as a condition\nprecedent to offering such production or testimony and unless payment thereof is\nnot thereupon made.\n\nJ. Any natural person who shall neglect or refuse to attend and testify, or to\nanswer any lawful inquiry or to produce documentary evidence, if in his power to\ndo so, in obedience of a civil investigative demand or lawful request of the\nAttorney General or those properly authorized by the Attorney General, pursuant\nto this section, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof by\na court of competent jurisdiction shall be punished by a fine of not more than\n$5,000, or by imprisonment in jail for not more than one year, or both such fine\nand imprisonment.\n\t\t\tAny natural person who commits perjury or false swearing or contempt in\nanswering, or failing to answer, or in producing evidence or failing to do so in\naccordance with a civil investigative demand or lawful request by the Attorney\nGeneral, pursuant to this section, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon\nconviction therefor by a court of competent jurisdiction shall be punished by a\nfine of not more than $5,000, or by imprisonment in jail for not more than one\nyear, or both such fine and imprisonment.\n\nK. In any investigation brought by the Attorney General pursuant to this\nchapter, no individual shall be excused from attending, testifying or producing\ndocumentary material, objects or intangible things in obedience to a civil\ninvestigative demand or under order of the court on the ground that the\ntestimony or evidence required of him may tend to incriminate him or subject him\nto any penalty, but no testimony or other information compelled either by the\nAttorney General or under order of the court, or any information directly or\nindirectly derived from such testimony or other information, may be used against\nthe individual or witness in any criminal case. However, he may nevertheless be\nprosecuted or subjected to penalty or forfeiture for any perjury, false swearing\nor contempt committed in answering, or failing to answer, or in producing\nevidence or failing to do so in accordance with the order of the Attorney\nGeneral or the court. If an individual refuses to testify or produce evidence\nafter being granted immunity from prosecution and after being ordered to testify\nor produce evidence as aforesaid, he may be adjudged in civil contempt by a\ncourt of competent jurisdiction and committed to the county jail until such time\nas he purges himself of contempt by testifying, producing evidence or presenting\na written statement as ordered. The foregoing shall not prevent the Attorney\nGeneral from instituting other appropriate contempt proceedings against any\nperson who violates any of the above provisions.\n\nL. It shall be the duty of all public officials, both state and local, their\ndeputies, assistants, clerks, subordinates or employees, and all other persons\nto render and furnish to the Attorney General, his deputy or other designated\nrepresentative, when so requested, all information and assistance in their\npossession or within their power. Any officer participating in such inquiry and\nany person examined as a witness upon such inquiry who shall disclose to any\nsuch person other than the Attorney General the name of any witness examined or\nany other information obtained upon such inquiry, except as so directed by the\nAttorney General, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to the sanctions\nprescribed in subsection J. Such inquiry may upon written authorization of the\nAttorney General be made public.\n\nM. The Attorney General may promulgate rules and regulations to implement and\ncarry out the provisions of this section.\n\nN. It shall be the duty of the Attorney General, or his designees, to maintain\nthe secrecy of all evidence, testimony, documents or other results of such\ninvestigations. Violation of this subsection shall be a misdemeanor. Nothing\nherein contained shall be construed to prevent (i) the disclosure of any such\ninvestigative evidence by the Attorney General in his discretion to any federal\nor state law-enforcement authority that has restrictions governing\nconfidentiality similar to those contained in this subsection or (ii) the\npresentation and disclosure of any such investigative evidence by the Attorney\nGeneral, in his discretion, in any action or proceeding brought by the Attorney\nGeneral under this chapter.\n\nHISTORY: 1974, c. 545; 1982, c. 285; 2000, c. 755.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}