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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>78748</law_id><section_number>3.2-4215.1</section_number><catch_line>Authority of Attorney General; audit and investigation</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="3.2">Agriculture, Animal Care, and Food</unit><unit label="subtitle" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="III">Production and Sale of Agricultural Products</unit><unit label="chapter" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="42">Implementation of Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement</unit><unit label="article" level="4" order_by="1" identifier="3">Enforcement of Requirements for Tobacco Product Manufacturers</unit></structure><text>
						<section><p>The <span class="dictionary">Attorney General</span> or his authorized representative shall have the authority to:</p></section>
						<section id="1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> Conduct audits and investigations of (i) a <span class="dictionary">nonparticipating manufacturer</span> and its importers or a tobacco product manufacturer as defined in &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Definitions" href="/3.2-4200/">3.2-4200</a> that became a participating manufacturer after the Master <span class="dictionary">Settlement</span> execution date, as defined at section II (aa) of the Master <span class="dictionary">Settlement</span> Agreement, and its importers, (ii) exclusive distributors, retail dealers, <span class="dictionary">stamping agents</span>, and wholesale dealers, as defined in &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Definitions" href="/58.1-1000/">58.1-1000</a>, and (iii) persons or entities engaged in delivery sales as defined in &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Definitions" href="/18.2-246.6/">18.2-246.6</a>; and <a id="paragraph-282139" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/3.2-4215.1/#1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="2"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> Upon reasonable cause to believe that a violation of this article or of Article 1 (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Definitions" href="/3.2-4200/">3.2-4200</a> et seq.) of this chapter, or of Chapter 10 (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Definitions" href="/58.1-1000/">58.1-1000</a> et seq.) of Title 58.1, or Article 10 (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Definitions" href="/18.2-246.6/">18.2-246.6</a> et seq.) of Chapter 6 of Title 18.2 has occurred or is reasonably likely to occur, <span class="dictionary">issue</span> <span class="dictionary">subpoenas</span>, compel the attendance of witnesses, administer <span class="dictionary">oaths</span>, certify to official acts, take <span class="dictionary">depositions</span> within and without the Commonwealth, as now provided by <span class="dictionary">law</span>, and compel the production of pertinent books, payrolls, accounts, papers, records, documents, and <span class="dictionary">testimony</span> relevant to such investigation. If a person refuses, without good cause, to be examined or to answer a legal and pertinent question, or to produce a document or other <span class="dictionary">evidence</span> when ordered to do so by the <span class="dictionary">Attorney General</span> or his authorized representative, the <span class="dictionary">Attorney General</span> or his authorized representative may apply to the <span class="dictionary">judge</span> of the <span class="dictionary">circuit</span> <span class="dictionary">court</span> of the <span class="dictionary">jurisdiction</span> where such person is in attendance or located, upon <span class="dictionary">affidavit</span>, for an <span class="dictionary">order</span> returnable in no less than two nor more than five days, directing such person to show cause why he should not be examined, answer a legal or pertinent question or produce a document, record or other <span class="dictionary">evidence</span>. Upon the <span class="dictionary">hearing</span> of such, if the <span class="dictionary">court</span> determines that such person, without good cause, has refused to be examined or to answer legal or pertinent questions, or to produce a document, record or other <span class="dictionary">evidence</span>, the <span class="dictionary">court</span> may <span class="dictionary">order</span> compliance with the <span class="dictionary">subpoena</span> and assess all costs and reasonable attorney fees against such person. If the <span class="dictionary">motion</span> for an <span class="dictionary">order</span> is granted and the person thereafter fails to comply with the <span class="dictionary">order</span>, the <span class="dictionary">court</span> may make such <span class="dictionary">orders</span> as are provided for in the Rules of the Supreme <span class="dictionary">Court</span> of Virginia. <span class="dictionary">Subpoenas</span> shall be served and <span class="dictionary">witness</span> fees and mileage paid as allowed in civil cases in the <span class="dictionary">circuit</span> <span class="dictionary">courts</span> of the Commonwealth. <a id="paragraph-282140" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/3.2-4215.1/#2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>2008, c. 758, &#xA7; 3.1-336.13:1.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
