Chapter 180 — Attorney General; Department of Justice

ORS 180.777 Confidentiality and use of documentary material, answers to interrogatories and transcripts of oral testimony

(1)

While in the possession of the Attorney General, any documentary material, answers to interrogatories and transcripts of oral testimony shall be held in confidence and not be disclosed to any person except:

(a)

The person providing the material or answers;

(b)

The representative or attorney of the person providing the material or answers;

(c)

Persons employed by the Attorney General;

(d)

Officials of the United States or any state who are authorized to enforce federal or state false claims laws, including the federal False Claims Act, 31 U.S.C. 3729 to 3733, provided that prior to the disclosure the Attorney General shall obtain the written agreement of the officials to abide by the confidentiality restriction of this section; and

(e)

Other persons authorized in subsection (2) of this section.

(2)

Documentary material, answers to interrogatories and transcripts of oral testimony in the possession of the Attorney General may be:

(a)

Used in any investigation conducted pursuant to ORS 180.750 to 180.785 or in any case or proceeding before a court or administrative agency; or

(b)

Disclosed to any committee or subcommittee of the Legislative Assembly in a manner and for purposes as the Attorney General deems appropriate.

(3)

Upon completion of a civil action brought under ORS 180.760, the Attorney General shall return any documents, answers and transcripts that have not passed into the control of the court through introduction into the records, to the person who provided the documents, answers or testimony, upon the person’s request in writing. If no action in which documents, answers or testimony may be used has been commenced within a reasonable time after completion of the examination or analysis of all documentary material, but in no event later than four years after production of the material, the Attorney General shall, upon written request of the person who produced the material, return all documents, answers and transcripts to the person who provided them.

Note: See note under 180.750.