When there is required the appearance of persons, their testimony or the production of any document or evidence pertinent to any proceeding or investigation under this chapter, the following provisions shall govern:(a) Every summons, requirement or certification issued by the Executive Director or his authorized representatives, or by the Board or any of its members, or by the Secretary, shall bear the seal of the Administration or of the Board, as the case may be, and may be served at any place in the Commonwealth.(b) When a person summoned or required in accordance with the present provisions fails to appear to testify or fails to produce or to permit the copying of the books, registries, payrolls, records or documents, as required, or when any person thus summoned refuses to answer any question in connection with any matter or investigation under consideration of the Administration, the latter may request the assistance of the Court of First Instance of Puerto Rico to compel the appearance and the testimony of such person and the production and delivery of the books, registries, payrolls, records or documents requested on the matter under consideration.(c) Once the petition is pearance and the testimony of such person and the production and delivery of the books, registries, payrolls, records or documents requested on the matter under consideration.(c) Once the petition is filed with the Court of First Instance, said Court shall issue a summons requiring and ordering the person to appear and depose or to produce the evidence requested, or both. Disobedience of the order issued by the court shall be punished as contempt and the payment of costs and lawyer’s fees shall be imposed on the guilty person.(d) Any person, except Government employees, summoned and appearing before the Board or the Administration as witness shall receive for each day of appearance a sum equal to that received by witnesses appearing before the courts of justice. History —June 26, 1968, No. 138, p. 335, added as § 11 on Oct. 30, 1975, No. 12, p. 782, § 9.
Puerto Rico Legal Code