Andy Braithwaite, Santa Rosa (CA), USA
Staples has agreed to pay almost $970,000 over allegations that it overcharged retail customers in California.
District Attorney Jill Ravitch of Sonoma County in California announced this week that her office and the district attorneys of three other counties had reached a settlement with the office supplier in a civil law enforcement action. The complaint alleged that Staples violated California law by charging consumers more than the lowest posted or advertised price for items on a number of occasions at stores in the area.
Under the terms of the settlement, Staples has agreed to pay $968,157 in civil penalties, costs and restitution, and agreed to injunctive provisions to ensure future compliance. The judgement requires Staples to implement additional audit and price accuracy procedures in its California stores for five years.
Ravitch said that Staples was cooperative during this investigation and has now instituted new policies and procedures to ensure pricing accuracy.
