The Deputy General Counsel has authority to:

Compromise any civil penalties being imposed in enforcement cases.

Issue orders initiating and terminating informal nonpublic investigations under part 305 of this chapter (Procedural Regulations).

Issue orders requiring air carriers to prepare and submit within a specified reasonable period, special reports, copies of agreements, records, accounts, papers, documents, and specific answers to questions upon which information is deemed necessary. Special reports shall be under oath whenever the Deputy General Counsel so requires.

Institute and prosecute in the proper court, as agent of the Department, all necessary proceedings for the enforcement of the provisions of the act or any rule, regulation, requirement, or order thereunder, or any term, condition, or limitation of any certificate or permit, and for the punishment of all violations thereof. Any action taken by the Deputy General Counsel, pursuant to the authority of this section shall not be subject to the review procedures of this part.

Make findings regarding the reasonable necessity for the application of the Department's authority to obtain access to lands, buildings and equipment, and to inspect, examine and make notes and copies of accounts, records, memorandums, documents, papers and correspondence of persons having control over, or affiliated with, any person subject to regulation under Titles IV or X of the Act, through issuance of an appropriate order, letter or other transmittal.

Issue orders denying or granting conditional or complete confidential treatment of information supplied by any person to the Office of Aviation Enforcement and Proceedings. Confidential treatment may only be granted upon a finding that, if the information were in the Department's possession and a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request were made for the information:

At the time of the confidentiality request, the FOIA request would be denied on the basis of one or more of the FOIA exemptions; and

At any later time, the FOIA request would also be denied, absent a material change in circumstances (which may include a demonstration that the asserted exemption does not apply).