Report: Office Depot Overcharged North Carolina

Raleigh, N.C. The State Auditor's Office of North Carolina says Office Depot overcharged North Carolina nearly $300,000 during a six-month period, according to the Associated Press.

State Auditor Les Merritt said Wednesday that Office Depot overcharged the state between July and December 2007 by inflating the price of store-brand products included in its bid to the state, and changing the brand of items purchased.

Merritt said the Division of Purchase and Contract should have better monitored its Office Depot purchases. He said reports have shown the Florida-based company has overcharged four other states.

The state division disagreed with some of the auditor's findings but said it will work to implement the auditor's recommendations to prevent overcharging in the future.