§3554.1. Commissioner's powers; unlicensed persons

A. For the purpose of discovering violations of this Chapter or securing information lawfully required by it hereunder, the commissioner may at any time investigate the loans and business and examine the books, accounts, records, and files used therein of every person engaged in or believed to be engaged in any business regulated by this Chapter, whether such person shall act or claim to act as principal or agent or within or without the authority of this Chapter. For such purpose the commissioner shall have free access to the offices and places of business, books, accounts, papers, records, files, safes, and vaults of such persons. The commissioner may require the attendance of and examine under oath all persons, may administer oaths or affirmations, and, upon his own motion or upon request of any party, may subpoena witnesses, compel their attendance, adduce evidence, and require the production of any matter which is relevant to the investigation, including the existence, description, nature, custody, condition, and location of any books, documents, or other tangible things and the identity and location of persons having knowledge of relevant facts, or any other matter reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence.

B. No person, except as authorized by the provisions of this Chapter, shall, directly or indirectly, charge, contract for or receive any interest, charge, or consideration upon the loan, use, or forbearance of money or credit for a consumer purpose.

C. If any individual without lawful excuse fails to obey a subpoena or to give testimony when directed to do so by the commissioner or obstructs the proceedings by any means, whether or not in the presence of the commissioner that individual is guilty of contempt. The commissioner may file a complaint in a district court setting forth the facts constituting the contempt and requesting an order returnable in not less than two days or more than five days, directing the alleged offender to show cause before the court why he should not be punished for contempt. If the court determines that the respondent has committed any alleged contempt, the court shall punish the offender for contempt.

D. If an investigation or examination by the commissioner shall disclose that any person has violated the provisions of this Chapter relative to licensing requirements other than as a result of a bona fide error, the costs of such investigation or examination shall be borne by the person investigated or examined and the commissioner may maintain an action in any court to recover such costs.

E. Whenever the commissioner has reasonable cause to believe that any person is violating, is threatening to violate, or is about to violate any provision of this Chapter relative to licensing, notification, or registration requirements, he may in addition to all actions provided for in this Chapter, and without prejudice thereto, order such person to cease and desist from such violation, and/or may order such person to cease collecting or enforcing such consumer loans subject to the Louisiana Consumer Credit Law, unless and until such person is licensed to make consumer loans pursuant to this Chapter. An action may be brought by the commissioner or by the attorney general of Louisiana to enjoin such person from engaging in or continuing such violation or from doing any act or acts in furtherance thereof. In any such action an order or judgment may be entered awarding such preliminary or final injunction as may be deemed proper. In addition to all other means provided by law for the enforcement of a restraining order or injunction, the court in which such action is brought shall have power and jurisdiction to impound, and to appoint a receiver for the property and business of the defendant, including books, papers, documents, and records pertaining thereto or so much thereto as the court may deem reasonably necessary to prevent violations of the licensing, notification, or registration provisions of this Chapter through or by means of the use of said property and business. Such receiver, when appointed and qualified, shall have such powers and duties as to custody, collection, administration, winding up, and liquidation of such property and business as shall from time to time be conferred upon him by the court.

F. In addition to any other authority conferred, the commissioner may impose a fine or penalty not exceeding one thousand dollars upon any person required to be licensed under this Chapter who, at an administrative proceeding is determined to have violated the licensing provisions of this Chapter. Such fines may be imposed by a court in which the commissioner has brought an action authorized by this Section. For the purposes of this Section, each day that an unlicensed person engages in the activities regulated by this Chapter shall constitute a separate violation.

Acts 1992, No. 1013, §1, eff. July 13, 1992; Acts 1992, No. 1112, §1, eff. July 14, 1992.