Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 09/11/07

Contact person(s):

Media Coordinator, Donna Edwards - (707) 565-3099 Media Spokesperson, Assistant District Attorney Diana Gomez

Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California

OFFICE DEPOT PAYS $2.3 MILLION IN PENALTIES TO SETTLE
CONSUMER PROTECTION CASE FOR ALLEGED
OVERCHARGES OF CALIFORNIA CUSTOMERS

Sonoma County District Attorney Stephan R. Passalacqua announced today that his office, in conjunction with the District Attorneys of Santa Clara, Marin, Ventura, Solano, Napa, Shasta, Sacramento, and Los Angeles counties, and the City Attorney of the City of Los Angeles, reached a settlement in a consumer protection case filed against Office Depot, Inc., the operator of "Office Depot" stores throughout California. The case was filed in the Santa Clara County Superior Court. The initial investigation arose out of inspections of Office Depot's checkout scanners by state and local Weights and Measures inspectors.

District Attorney Passalacqua said, "Law enforcement is working together throughout the state to ensure consumers are not charged incorrect prices. Businesses are on notice that they should establish procedures to prevent such inaccuracies." District Attorney Passalacqua commended Weights and Measures officials in their efforts to ensure consumers are paying the correct prices.

Office Depot cooperated with prosecutors during the investigation and agreed to additional price check programs to enhance its pricing accuracy. Under the terms of the settlement, without admitting any wrongdoing, Office Depot, Inc., agreed to pay $2,300,000 in civil penalties and $285,791 to reimburse the costs of investigation. Office Depot will also offer restitution to the public in the form of a coupon good for $5.00 off in-store purchases at California Office Depot stores. The coupon will be prominently placed in an Office Depot Sunday ad circular to be published within the next several months. The judgment also requires Office Depot to initiate and administer a pricing accuracy program in all of its California stores and provide for an accurate price guarantee to compensate consumers if they are overcharged. The accurate price guarantee provides customers with free or discounted items if they are overcharged. The accurate price guarantee will be posted in every store in California. Deputy District Attorney Matt Cheever handled the matter for this office.

Consumers in Sonoma County are reminded to remain vigilant and check their receipts. Sonoma County consumers who believe they are the victim of fraud are urged to call the Environmental and Consumer Law Division of the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office at (707) 565-2311 to file a complaint.