Section 476-C. Investigation by the attorney-general

1.   The
  attorney-general  is  empowered  to  conduct  an  investigation  of  any
  complaint  of  unlawful practice of the law and in connection therewith,
  the attorney-general, his deputy, assistant, special assistant or  other
  officer  designated  by  him  for  such purpose is empowered to subpoena
  witnesses, compel their attendance, examine them under oath  before  him
  or the supreme court of the state of New York, or a justice thereof, and
  require the production of any books or papers which he deems relevant or
  material to the inquiry. Such power of subpoena and of examination shall
  not  abate or terminate by reason of the commencement or pendency of any
  action or proceeding brought by the attorney-general under section  four
  hundred seventy-six-a.
    2. No person shall be excused from attending such inquiry in pursuance
  to  the  mandates  of  a subpoena, or from producing a paper or book, or
  from being examined or required to answer a question on  the  ground  of
  failure  of tender or payment of a witness fee or mileage, unless at the
  time of such appearance or production, as the case may be, such  witness
  makes  demand  for such payment as a condition precedent to the offering
  of testimony or production required by  the  subpoena  and  unless  such
  payment  is  not  thereupon made. Such provisions for payment of witness
  fee or mileage do not apply to any officer, director or  person  in  the
  employ  of  any  person,  partnership,  corporation,  company,  trust or
  association whose conduct or practices are being investigated.
    3. It shall be the  duty  of  all  public  officers,  their  deputies,
  assistants,  subordinates,  clerks or employees and all other persons to
  render  and  furnish  to  the  attorney-general,  his  deputy  or  other
  designated  officer  when  requested  all  information and assistance in
  their possession or within their power.  Any  officer  participating  in
  such   inquiry   who  shall  disclose  to  any  person  other  than  the
  attorney-general  the  name  of  any  witness  examined  or  any   other
  information  obtained  upon  such  inquiry  except  as  directed  by the
  attorney-general shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.