743.07 INVESTIGATION.

   (a) When an application for a license to conduct a public auction, going-out-of-business sale or distress merchandise sale is filed, the Mayor shall refer the application to the Law Director for investigation and he shall make the investigation, preparing afterward a written report in which he shall include his recommendations. The report shall be filed with the Mayor prior to the hearing described in Section 743.08. The applicant and/or his lawyer may cross-examine the Law Director concerning the report and recommendations during the hearing. If requested by the Law Director, in the furtherance of the investigation, the Mayor shall appoint a Finance Department employee or a public accountant to examine the books and records of the applicant, taking any inventory at the applicant's place of business, including his warehouses. The findings shall be made a part of the report.

   (b) Information secured by the Law Director in the course of investigation shall not be made public except upon the written permission of the applicant or on appeal by the applicant from a refusal by the Mayor to issue a license. However, the report shall be introduced in the record of the hearing.

   (c) An applicant's refusal to permit examination of his books and records or his goods, wares and merchandise is ground for the Mayor's refusal to issue a license. (1967 Code §115.23)