(a) Whenever it shall appear to the Attorney General that any person has engaged or is engaging in conduct that might amount to a violation of the False Claims Act, the Attorney General is authorized to investigate such violations by taking proof and making a determination of the relevant facts and issuing subpoenas in accordance with the Civil Practice Law and Rules. Such authorization shall not abate or terminate by reason of any action or proceeding brought under the False Claims Act by the Attorney General, a local government, or any person, including a qui tam plaintiff.

(b) If a person subpoenaed to attend an inquiry related to a violation of the False Claims Act fails to obey the command of a subpoena without reasonable cause, or if a person in attendance upon such inquiry shall without reasonable cause refuse to be sworn or to be examined or to answer a question or to produce a book or paper or data when ordered so to do by the officer conducting such inquiry, or if a person fails to perform any act required to be performed, the Attorney General may institute civil contempt proceedings under section 2308(b) of the Civil Practice Law and Rules or make a motion to compel pursuant to that section or take any other action authorized by law.