Maine Regulations § 270-1-5 FACT FINDING AND INVESTIGATIONS

1. Before Commission Meeting . With respect to any inquiry, complaint, or request for Commission action properly filed in accordance with the preceding section, or any potential violation that comes to the attention of Commission staff through an audit or review of reports, the Director may conduct such preliminary investigation as is deemed prudent and desirable. If the preliminary investigation suggests that a complaint is without factual basis, the Director may inquire with the person filing the complaint whether he wishes to withdraw the request for further investigation. When a matter is ready for presentation to the Commission, the Director, in consultation with Counsel, will prepare a summary of findings and recommendations for inclusion on the agenda.

2. By the Commission . Once any matter is reached on the agenda of a Commission meeting, the Commission will control any further investigation or proceedings. No hearings will be held except by direction of the Commission. On a case-by-case basis, the Commission may authorize its Chair, Director, or any ad hoc committee of its members, to conduct further investigative proceedings on behalf of the Commission between Commission meetings. Any authorization so conferred will be fully reflected in the minutes of the Commission meeting. Consultations between the Commission and its Counsel concerning an investigation (including the issuance of subpoenas) where premature public knowledge of the investigation would place the Commission or another investigatory office at a substantial disadvantage may be held in executive session pursuant to 1 M.R.S.A. §§ 405 (6)(E) , 1005 , and 1013 (3-A) .

3. Use of Commission's Subpoena Power. The Chair is authorized to issue subpoenas in the name of the Commission to compel the attendance of witnesses or the production of records, documents or other evidence when the Chair and the Commission's Counsel are in agreement that the testimony or evidence sought by the subpoena is necessary to disposition of the matter; and to issue any subpoena in the name of the Commission on behalf of any person having a statutory right to an agency subpoena. Any oral testimony compelled by a subpoena issued by this provision will be presented to the Commission or its staff.

4. Hearings. The Commission may hold a hearing to receive testimony under oath. Any hearing must be conducted in accordance with the Maine Administrative Procedure Act [ 5 M.R.S.A. §§ 8001 et seq. ] and Chapter 2 of the Commission's Rules.