Opinion ID: 629223
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Statutory Authority for Subpoena Power

Text: 14 The authority of an administrative agency to issue subpoenas for investigatory purposes is created solely by statute. Peters v. United States, 853 F.2d 692, 696 (9th Cir.1988). Accordingly, the threshold issue we must address is whether Congress has authorized the Inspector General to exercise subpoena powers in furtherance of his audit function under the Insular Areas Act, 48 U.S.C. Sec. 1681b. 15 The Insular Areas Act unambiguously provides the authority for the Inspector General to conduct an audit of the CNMI. 2 But, the statute is silent with regard to the question of subpoena power. We do not, however, accept the Governor's contention that this silence is dispositive. 16 The audit power granted by the Insular Areas Act was in addition to the authority conferred upon the Inspector General by the Inspector General Act of 1978. 48 U.S.C. 1681b(b) (emphasis added). The Inspector General Act of 1978 specifies that the Inspector General has the authority to require by subpoena all the information necessary to carry out his duties. 5 U.S.C. app. 3 Sec. 6(a)(4). This discretion to exercise subpoena authority extends to the audit functions assigned to the Inspector General under the Insular Areas Act. Cf. Territorial Court of the Virgin Islands v. Richards, 847 F.2d 108 (3d Cir.1988) (enforcing Inspector General's subpoena in support of audit of Virgin Islands court). The district court was therefore correct in holding that the Inspector General has the full range of authority provided by the Inspector General Act of 1978 at his disposal in implementing the Insular Areas Act.