Exhibit 10.1

SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT

This Settlement Agreement (“Agreement”) is entered into by and between the City
of Azusa, Baldwin Park Unified School District, City of Colton, City of Corona,
City of Davis, Elk Grove Unified School District, City of Fontana, City of
Indian Wells, City of Los Angeles, Merced Union High School District, Monrovia
Unified School District, Rowland Unified School District, San Joaquin County
Office of Education, County of Santa Clara, City of Santa Maria, City of
Shafter, Stanislaus County Office of Education, Stockton Unified School
District, and City of Woodland (collectively, the “Intervenors”), the Estate of
David Sherwin by and through its personal representative, Cynthia Koffman, for
its own behalf and on behalf of the government entities listed in Exhibit A
hereto (the “Government Entities”) (in any of the foregoing capacities, the
“Relator”) (the Relator and the Intervenors, collectively, “Plaintiffs”), and
Office Depot, Inc. (“Office Depot”) (all of the foregoing hereafter collectively
referred to as “the Parties”), through their authorized representatives.

RECITALS

WHEREAS:

A. Office Depot is a Delaware corporation headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida
and is a supplier of office products and services.

B. The County of Los Angeles awarded Office Depot Master Agreement number 41421
and Master Agreement number 42595, respectively, (collectively, the “Master
Agreements”) for the purchase of office supplies and related products and
services. The Master Agreements were in effect from March 5, 2001 to
December 31, 2005 and January 1, 2006 to January 1, 2011, respectively. The
Master Agreements permitted members of the U.S. Communities Government
Purchasing Alliance (“U.S. Communities”) to purchase products from Office Depot
at the prices set forth in the Master Agreements.

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C. On or about March 20, 2009, the Relator filed under seal a qui tam action in
the Superior Court for Los Angeles County captioned State of California ex rel.
David Sherwin v. Office Depot, Inc. The Relator amended his Complaint on
January 12, 2012 and filed a Corrected First Amended Complaint (“FAC”) on
January 20, 2012.

D. The FAC stated that it was filed on behalf of “all political subdivisions
within the State of California . . . that purchased goods and services from
Office Depot” under the Master Agreements.¶ FAC 12. The Relator contends that by
virtue of this allegation he is asserting claims pursuant to the California
False Claims Act, California Government Code §§ 12650 et seq. (“CFCA”) on behalf
of all of the Government Entities.

E. The FAC alleges that Office Depot violated the CFCA by fraudulently charging
California government entities more than it should have, including but not
limited to by: (1) failing to comply with a “Most Favored Public Entity”
provision in the Master Agreements and failing to comply with a “Pricing
Commitment” attached to Office Depot’s Administration Agreement with U.S.
Communities; (2) misrepresenting or omitting material information regarding
pricing plans and/or switching customers from one plan to another without
consent; (3) using incorrect costs in calculating cost-based pricing;
(4) impermissibly changing list prices; and (5) discontinuing or manipulating
items on the “core lists” of products.

F. In or about July 2009, the California Attorney General, pursuant to the CFCA,
provided a copy of the Relator’s original Complaint and disclosure of evidence
to certain of the Government Entities. In or about August 2013, Office Depot
provided a copy of the Relator’s Corrected First Amended Complaint to certain of
the Government Entities as an attachment to a subpoena for the production of
documents. In or about August 2014, the Government Entities who did not receive
a copy of the California Attorney General’s July 2009 notice were provided with
a copy of Relator’s Corrected First Amended Complaint, Relator’s original
complaint, and Relator’s original disclosure statement under cover of a letter
from the California Attorney General, pursuant to the CFCA. All Government
Entities thus have received notice of this Action and had an opportunity to
intervene.

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G. The Cities of Azusa, Colton, Corona, Davis, Fontana, Indian Wells, Shafter,
and Woodland together filed a complaint in intervention on December 19, 2012.

H. Baldwin Park Unified School District, Monrovia Unified School District,
Rowland Unified School District and Stockton Unified School District together
filed a complaint in intervention on December 13, 2012.

I. City of Los Angeles filed a complaint in intervention on April 11, 2012, and
filed a first amended complaint in intervention on December 13, 2012.

J. Merced Union High School District filed a complaint in intervention on
August 8, 2012, and filed a first amended complaint in intervention on
December 13, 2012.

K. San Joaquin County Office of Education filed a complaint in intervention on
August 8, 2012, and a first amended complaint in intervention on December 13,
2012.

L. County of Santa Clara filed a complaint in intervention on December 13, 2012.

M. City of Santa Maria filed a complaint in intervention on August 8, 2012, and
filed

a first amended complaint in intervention on December 13, 2012.

N. Stanislaus County Office of Education filed a Complaint in Intervention on
August 8, 2012, and filed a First Amended Complaint in Intervention on
December 13, 2012.

O. Elk Grove Unified School District filed a notice of intervention on
August 15, 2012, but did not file a complaint in intervention.

P. The Intervenors’ complaints, including the amendments thereto, incorporate
all of the allegations of the FAC by reference. Based on similar allegations of
overcharging by Office Depot under the Master Agreements, as well as under
direct contracts between certain Intervenors and Office Depot, the Intervenors
allege additional claims under the CFCA as well as claims for breach of contract
and fraud.

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Q. Office Depot disputes the allegations of the Relator and the Intervenors, and
contends that their claims have no merit and are subject to numerous legal and
factual defenses.

NOW THEREFORE, to avoid the delay, uncertainty, inconvenience, and expense of
protracted litigation of the above claims, and any others that might have been
or could be brought, and in consideration of the mutual promises and obligations
of this Settlement Agreement, the Parties agree and covenant as follows:

DEFINITIONS

1. “Actions” means the lawsuits identified in Paragraphs C through P above.

2. “Agreement” means this Settlement Agreement, including all exhibits hereto.

3. “Approval Motion” has the meaning set forth in Paragraph 25 below.

4. “CFCA” has the meaning set forth in Paragraph D above.

5. “Court” means the Superior Court of Los Angeles County.

6. “Covered Conduct” means the allegations made or that could have been made in
the Intervenors’ complaints (including all amendments thereto) and the Relator’s
complaint (including all amendments thereto) described in Paragraphs C through P
above. The Covered Conduct specifically encompasses all claims relating to
purchases from Office Depot via or under the terms of the Master Agreements.

7. “Dismissal Order,” as set forth in Paragraph 26 below, means an order entered
by the Court substantially in the form attached as Exhibit C, (a) holding that
the terms of the Settlement Agreement, including but not limited to the
allocation set forth in Exhibit A, are fair, adequate, and reasonable and were
reached in good faith, (b) holding that each Government Entity is bound by the
terms of this Settlement Agreement, including specifically the releases
contained herein, and (c) entering final judgment dismissing with prejudice all
claims in the Actions, including specifically all claims of the Relator, all
claims asserted on behalf of the Government Entities by the Relator, and all
claims of the Intervenors.

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8. “Effective Date” means the day after the Payment Date, provided, however,
that the Settlement Agreement shall not become effective unless and until:
(1) the Court’s order approving the Settlement Agreement has become completely
final, and there is no further recourse by an appellant or objector who seeks to
challenge or contest the Settlement Agreement; and (2) the Settlement Amount is
released from escrow and the Relator’s Attorneys’ Fees Amount is paid on the
Payment Date.

9. “Escrow Account” and “Escrow Agreement” have the meanings set forth in
Paragraph 27 below.

10. “FAC” has the meaning set forth in Paragraph C above.

11. “Government Entities” has the meaning set forth in the first paragraph of
this Agreement.

12. “Intervenors” has the meaning set forth in the first paragraph of this
Agreement.

13. “Master Agreements” has the meaning set forth in Paragraph B above.

14. “Office Depot” has the meaning set forth in the first paragraph of this
Agreement.

15. “Office Depot Released Parties” has the meaning set forth in Paragraph 33
below.

16. “Parties” has the meaning set forth in the first paragraph of this
Agreement.

17. “Payment Date” means (a) if no appeal, attempt to re-open the judgment, or
request to extend the time to seek an appeal has been filed, five business days
after the expiration of sixty days from the date on which all Government
Entities have been served with a file-stamped copy of the Dismissal Order, and
proof of such service has been provided to Office Depot, pursuant to Paragraph
27 below or (b) if any appeal, attempt to re-open the judgment, or request to
extend the time to seek an appeal has been sought, after such proceedings are
completed in the trial court (and, following any such proceedings, the
expiration of all time to notice an appeal or, if an appeal has been sought,
after the final disposition of any such appeal), which disposition approves the
Dismissal Order.

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18. “Plaintiff Releasing Parties” has the meaning set forth in Paragraph 33
below.

19. “Plaintiffs” has the meaning set forth in the first paragraph of this
Agreement.

20. “Protective Order” has the meaning set forth in Paragraph 37 below.

21. “Relator” has the meaning set forth in the first paragraph of this
Agreement.

22. “Relator’s Attorneys’ Fees Amount” has the meaning set forth in Paragraph 30
below.

23. “Settlement Amount” has the meaning set forth in Paragraph 28 below.

24. “U.S. Communities” has the meaning set forth in Paragraph B above.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

25. The Parties agree that by October 22, 2014, Plaintiffs (at Plaintiffs’ or
their counsel’s expense) shall serve, via an overnight delivery service, all
Government Entities with a notice of the settlement and the request for
approval. The notice shall (1) include a copy of this Settlement Agreement and
all exhibits; (2) specify the share of the settlement proceeds Plaintiffs will
propose be allocated to Relator; (3) set forth the location and date of the
hearing on the request for approval of the Settlement Agreement. The proposed
allocation of a share of settlement proceeds to Relator is a matter that has
been (and will be) handled separately by and among Plaintiffs without Office
Depot’s involvement. Office Depot was not consulted about the proposed share to
be allocated to Relator nor has it had any input into the decision. For this
reason, Office Depot shall not be deemed to have endorsed or been responsible
for any such proposed allocation or the use of the proceeds by any ultimate
recipient. As part of the Settlement Agreement, however, Office Depot will not
contest such allocation.

26. By October 22, 2014, Plaintiffs will file a motion with the Court seeking
approval of the Settlement Agreement and, contingent upon the Court’s approval
of the Settlement Agreement, the stipulated dismissal with prejudice of all
claims in the Actions, with a hearing on

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the motion scheduled for November 18, 2014 (“Approval Motion”). The stipulated
dismissal, which will be executed by the Parties and filed before the hearing,
shall be substantially in the form attached as Exhibit B. The Approval Motion
shall ask the Court to enter an order (the “Dismissal Order”), substantially in
the form attached as Exhibit C, (a) holding that the terms of the Settlement
Agreement, including but not limited to the allocation set forth in Exhibit A,
are fair, adequate, and reasonable and were reached in good faith, (b) holding
that each Government Entity is bound by the terms of this Settlement Agreement,
including specifically the releases contained herein, and (c) entering final
judgment dismissing with prejudice all claims in the Actions, including
specifically all claims of the Relator, all claims asserted on behalf of the
Government Entities by the Relator, and all claims of the Intervenors.

27. Promptly after entry of the Dismissal Order, Plaintiffs (at Plaintiffs’ or
their counsel’s expense) shall cause a file-stamped copy of the Dismissal Order
to be served on all Government Entities by certified U.S. Mail and shall keep
and provide to Office Depot proof of such service.

28. On the next business day after the Dismissal Order, Relator shall open an
interest-bearing escrow account at US Bank or another mutually acceptable
institution (“Escrow Account”) and the parties shall execute an escrow agreement
substantially in the form attached as Exhibit D and reflecting the escrow terms
set forth in this paragraph (“Escrow Agreement”). No later than five (5) days
thereafter, Office Depot shall pay $68,500,000 (the “Settlement Amount”) by
electronic funds transfer into the Escrow Account. Any and all fees or expenses
associated with the Escrow Account shall be paid out of the interest on the
account. The Escrow Agreement shall instruct the escrow agent to provide monthly
reports to Office Depot and designated counsel for Plaintiffs concerning the
transactions and balance in the Escrow Account. If this settlement is
consummated, all amounts in the Escrow Account, including all accrued interest
remaining after payment of Escrow Account fees and expenses, shall be paid to
Plaintiffs

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on the Payment Date in accordance with the Escrow Agreement. In the event this
settlement is not consummated, all amounts in the Escrow Account, including all
accrued interest remaining after payment of Escrow Account fees and expenses,
shall be returned to Office Depot in accordance with the Escrow Agreement.
Payment of the Settlement Amount constitutes payment in full by Office Depot to
compensate all Plaintiffs for any and all losses it may have incurred related in
any way to the Covered Conduct and no part of such Payment is punitive in
purpose or effect. The Settlement Amount will be released from escrow on the
Payment Date.

29. Plaintiffs agree that in distributing the Settlement Amount to the
Intervenors and Government Entities, they will include with the distribution a
copy of this Settlement Agreement. Plaintiffs represent and warrant that they
have agreed among themselves to share the Settlement Amount as set forth in the
attached Exhibit A. The allocation of the Settlement Amount is a matter that has
been (and will be) handled separately by and among Plaintiffs and the Government
Entities without Office Depot’s involvement. Office Depot was not consulted
about the allocation of the Settlement Amount nor has it had any input into the
allocation. For this reason, Office Depot shall not be deemed to have endorsed
or been responsible for any such allocation or the use of the proceeds by any
ultimate recipient. As part of the Settlement Agreement, however, Office Depot
will not contest such allocation.

30. On the Payment Date, Office Depot shall pay to Relator’s counsel $9,000,000
(the “Relator’s Attorneys’ Fees Amount”) by electronic funds transfer to a
single account designated by written instructions to be provided by Phillips &
Cohen LLP at least five days before the Payment Date, in settlement of Relator’s
claims for reasonable attorneys’ fees, costs, and expenses pursuant to Cal.
Gov’t. Code § 12652(g)(8) and any other statute providing for recovery of
attorneys’ fees, costs, and expenses. Included with the written instructions,
Phillips & Cohen LLP will represent and warrant that it has authorization from
all Plaintiffs’ counsel to provide those instructions. The allocation of the
Relator’s Attorneys’ Fees Amount is a matter

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that has been (and will be) handled separately by and among Plaintiffs’ counsel
without Office Depot’s involvement. Office Depot was not consulted about the
allocation of the Relator’s Attorneys’ Fees Amount nor has it had any input into
the allocation. For this reason, Office Depot shall not be responsible for and
shall not be deemed to have endorsed any such allocation or the use of the
proceeds by any ultimate recipient. Payment of the Relator’s Attorneys’ Fees
Amount constitutes payment in full by Office Depot for any and all of Relator’s
attorneys’ fees and costs. Office Depot shall not be liable for, and all
Plaintiffs and Governmental Entities waive and release, any other claims for
attorneys’ fees or costs incurred or to be incurred relating to the claims of
any Plaintiffs or Government Entities related in any way to the Covered Conduct.

31. Upon making the payments provided in Paragraphs 28 and 30 above, Office
Depot shall have nothing further to do with the distribution of the Settlement
Amount or the Attorneys’ Fees Amount. Under no circumstances shall Office Depot
be obligated as a result of this Settlement Agreement, the underlying
litigation, or any claim released herein to pay to Plaintiffs or the Government
Entities, or any of their counsel, by way of damages, penalties, fees, costs or
otherwise, more than the Settlement Amount and the Relator’s Attorneys’ Fees
Amount set forth in Paragraphs 28 and 30 above.

32. In exchange for and in consideration of Office Depot’s agreement to pay the
Settlement Amount, the Relator and the Intervenors agree to dismiss their
Actions against Office Depot with prejudice in accordance with Paragraph 36
below. It is the Parties’ intention and a condition of this Settlement Agreement
that all claims of the Relator, all claims of each of the Government Entities,
and all claims of the Intervenors be dismissed with prejudice.

33. In consideration of the obligations of Office Depot set forth in this
Settlement Agreement, and conditioned upon Office Depot’s payment of the
Settlement Amount, (a) the Intervenors on behalf of themselves, any and all of
their governing authorities, boards,

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commissions, officials, officers, directors, managers, representatives,
employees, contractors, administrators, departments, divisions, agencies,
instrumentalities, fiduciaries, accountants, auditors, consultants, insurers and
reinsurers, principals, law firms, attorneys, brokers, vendors, partners,
privies, agents, affiliates, predecessors, successors and assigns, as well as
the heirs, personal representatives, executors, administrators, predecessors,
successors, and assigns of each of the foregoing, in each case past, present, or
future, and (b) the Relator on behalf of himself, his respective current, former
and future heirs, spouses, children, offspring, successors, agents, trustees,
personal and legal representatives, attorneys, executors, administrators,
attorneys, and assigns, and on behalf of the Government Entities any and all of
their governing authorities, boards, commissions, officials, officers,
directors, managers, representatives, employees, contractors, administrators,
departments, divisions, agencies, instrumentalities, fiduciaries, accountants,
auditors, consultants, insurers and reinsurers, principals, law firms,
attorneys, brokers, vendors, partners, privies, agents, affiliates,
predecessors, successors and assigns, as well as the heirs, personal
representatives, executors, administrators, predecessors, successors, and
assigns of each of the foregoing, in each case past, present, or future
(collectively, the “Plaintiff Releasing Parties”), release Office Depot,
together with all of its current and former affiliates, parents, members and
subsidiaries, and their respective current or former owners, shareholders,
parents, members, subsidiaries, affiliates, divisions, officers, directors,
employees, contractors, administrators, brokers, vendors, partners, privies,
agents, managers, representatives, fiduciaries, accountants, auditors,
consultants, insurers and reinsurers, principals, law firms, and attorneys, and
the heirs, personal representatives, executors, administrators, trustees,
beneficiaries, predecessors, successors, subrogees and assigns (direct or
indirect) of any of them, in each case past, present or future (the “Office
Depot Released Parties”), from any and all claims, rights, actions, suits,
grounds for complaint, causes of action, arbitrations, liens, demands,
controversies, grievances, allegations, accusations, judgments, and liabilities
of any

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kind or nature whatsoever, as well as all forms of relief, including all
remedies, costs, losses, liabilities, damages (whenever incurred and of any kind
whatsoever, including compensatory, statutory, liquidated, exemplary, or
punitive damages), wages, benefits, debts, expenses, penalties, interest, and
attorneys’ and other professionals’ fees and disbursements, and any other form
of relief or remedy in law, equity, or whatever kind or nature and however
denominated, whether sealed or unsealed, in law or equity, in contract, tort, or
otherwise, known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, anticipated or
unanticipated, and asserted or unasserted, foreseen or unforeseen, including all
direct or indirect liability (including, without limitation, vicarious
liability) that the Plaintiff Releasing Parties ever have, had, or may have
arising out of or in any way connected with the Covered Conduct, including but
not limited to claims under the CFCA, or the common law theories of breach of
contract, negligence, recoupment, unlawful payment, legally unauthorized
payment, payment by mistake, unjust enrichment, promissory estoppel, fraudulent
inducement, fraud, and negligent misrepresentation from the beginning of the
world through the Effective Date.

34. In consideration of the obligations of the Plaintiffs set forth in this
Settlement Agreement, and conditioned upon Plaintiffs fulfilling their
obligations under Paragraph 36 (concerning dismissal) below, Office Depot on
behalf of itself and the Office Depot Released Parties fully and finally
releases the Plaintiff Releasing Parties from any and all claims, rights,
actions, suits, grounds for complaint, causes of action, arbitrations, liens,
demands, controversies, grievances, allegations, accusations, judgments, and
liabilities of any kind or nature whatsoever, as well as all forms of relief,
including all remedies, costs, losses, liabilities, damages (whenever incurred
and of any kind whatsoever, including compensatory, statutory, liquidated,
exemplary, or punitive damages), wages, benefits, debts, expenses, penalties,
interest, and attorneys’ and other professionals’ fees and disbursements, and
any other form of relief or remedy in law, equity, or whatever kind or nature
and however denominated, whether sealed or

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unsealed, in law or equity, in contract, tort, or otherwise, known or unknown,
suspected or unsuspected, anticipated or unanticipated, and asserted or
unasserted, foreseen or unforeseen, including all direct or indirect liability
(including, without limitation, vicarious liability) that Office Depot ever has
asserted, could have asserted, or may assert in the future against them, arising
out of or in any way connected with the Covered Conduct and their investigation
and prosecution thereof, from the beginning of the world through the Effective
Date, other than claims for amounts due on goods sold.

35. The releases contained in Paragraphs 33 and 34 above are general releases
and the Parties intend and agree that each shall be interpreted, construed and
enforced as such. Without limiting the foregoing, the Parties, having been fully
advised by counsel of the contents of Section 1542 of the Civil Code of the
State of California, expressly waive and relinquish all rights and benefits
afforded by Section 1542, and do so understanding and acknowledging the
significance of such specific waiver of Section 1542. Section 1542 of the Civil
Code of the State of California states as follows:

A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS WHICH THE CREDITOR DOES NOT KNOW OR
SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS OR HER FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING THE RELEASE, WHICH
IF KNOWN BY HIM OR HER MUST HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS OR HER SETTLEMENT WITH
THE DEBTOR.

Thus, notwithstanding the provisions of Section 1542, and for the purpose of
implementing a full and complete release of claims, each Party expressly
acknowledges that this Agreement is intended to include in its effect, without
limitation, all claims arising out of or in any way connected with the Covered
Conduct that such Party does not know of or suspect to exist in such Party’s
favor at the time of signing this Agreement.

36. All Parties agree that this Settlement Agreement is expressly contingent
upon the Court granting the Approval Request and entering the Dismissal Order
making each of the foregoing holdings and entering final judgment dismissing
with prejudice the claims of the

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Relator, all Government Entities, and all Intervenors. Should the Court decline
to approve all material aspects of the Settlement Agreement or make rulings
materially altering the terms of the Settlement Agreement, or if for any reason
the Court determines not to enter a final judgment consistent with the terms of
this Settlement Agreement, then Office Depot or any of the Plaintiffs may
declare the Settlement Agreement null and void by providing written notice
within five days of any such decision pursuant to Paragraph 58, in which case
the Parties shall return to their positions as of the date prior to this
Agreement, the litigation shall proceed as if no settlement had been attempted,
and Office Depot shall have no obligation to make any payment, including payment
of any portion of the Settlement Amount. Among the material aspects of the
Settlement Agreement are the allocations set forth in the attached Exhibit A and
the release set forth in Paragraph 33. If the Court rejects the allocation to
any Intervenor of the amount set forth on Exhibit A, then that Intervenor shall
not be deemed to have agreed to this Settlement Agreement. If the Court rejects
or alters the terms of the release set forth in Paragraph 33, then Office Depot
shall not be deemed to have agreed to this Settlement Agreement. In either case,
the Settlement Agreement may be declared null and void by Office Depot or any
Plaintiff as set forth above. However, notwithstanding the foregoing, in the
event the Court determines not to enter a final judgment consistent with the
material terms of this Settlement Agreement, Office Depot and Plaintiffs shall
meet and confer in good faith in an effort to negotiate a revised Settlement
Agreement that is mutually acceptable to Office Depot and Plaintiffs and
consistent with the Court’s rulings.

37. The Parties agree that they will destroy or return to the designating party
all documents and information marked Confidential or Confidential – Attorney’s
Eyes Only, in accordance with paragraph 19 of the Protective Order entered in
State of California ex rel. Sherwin v. Office Depot, Inc. (C.D. Cal.) (the
“Protective Order”). The Parties further agree that

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they continue to be bound by the restrictions in the Protective Order after the
Effective Date, as provided in paragraph 22 of the Protective Order.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Office Depot shall instruct Williams & Connolly
LLP to retain, for a period of at least two years from the Effective Date, a
copy set of all documents and data produced by Office Depot to Plaintiffs in
this litigation (“Office Depot Documents”), and shall make such material
available to Relator’s counsel upon request if needed by Relator’s counsel for
the purpose of any legal action arising from this litigation, provided that
Relator’s counsel expressly agree that terms of the Protective Order shall
continue to apply to the Office Depot Documents. If required to produce or
otherwise disclose any Office Depot Documents in connection with any legal
action (whether by way of production of documents, court filing, or otherwise),
Relator’s counsel, before making any such production or disclosure, will use
their best efforts, including filing any necessary motions with the court, to
obtain a court order in the action providing confidentiality protection to the
Office Depot Documents to substantially the same extent as provided in the
Protective Order. Relator’s counsel will provide Office Depot written notice
pursuant to Paragraph 58 of any request for disclosure of the Office Depot
documents or any litigation regarding the confidentiality protections to be
accorded those documents with sufficient time for Office Depot to file its own
papers with the Court should it desire to do so.

38. Plaintiffs and Office Depot hereby covenant and agree that no Party will
(i) assert, file, commence, pursue, intervene in, institute, maintain or
prosecute any claim related in any way to the Covered Conduct, including (but
not limited to) by way of third-party claim, cross-claim, or counterclaim, or by
right of representation or subrogation, against any other Party;
(ii) participate in the assertion, filing, commencing, pursuing, intervening in,
instituting, maintaining or prosecuting of any claim related in any way to the
Covered Conduct against any other Party; and (iii) if involuntarily included in
any claim related to the Covered Conduct (e.g., in a class action) will withdraw
therefrom.

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39. This Settlement Agreement does not constitute an admission by any of the
Office Depot Released Parties, or evidence, of any liability or wrongdoing
whatsoever, including, but not limited to, any liability or wrongdoing with
respect to any allegations that were or could have been raised in the Actions.
This Agreement also does not constitute an admission by Plaintiff Releasing
Parties, or evidence, that they would not have been able to prosecute their
claims successfully in the Actions. The Parties agree that this Agreement is the
result of a compromise within the provisions of California Evidence Code § 1152,
and any similar statutes or rules, and shall not be used or admitted in any
proceeding for any purpose including, but not limited to, as evidence of
liability or wrongdoing by any of the Office Depot Released Parties, nor shall
it be used for impeachment purposes, to refresh recollection, or any other
evidentiary purpose; provided, however, that this paragraph shall not apply to
any claims to enforce any provision of this Agreement.

40. Should this Settlement Agreement for any reason not become final, all
Parties reserve their rights to make all arguments and defenses whatsoever,
including but not limited to challenges to the Relator’s ability to proceed on
behalf of any or all Government Entities and objections to any attempts to
intervene in the litigation (past or future), and each Party agrees that it
shall not assert that another Party has waived or is otherwise prevented from
asserting any argument or defense by virtue of negotiating, entering or seeking
approval of this Settlement Agreement.

41. This Agreement is intended to be for the benefit of the Parties only.

42. Aside from the payment of the Relator’s Attorneys’ Fees Amount as set forth
in Paragraph 30 above, each Party shall bear its own legal fees and other costs
incurred in connection with this matter, including the preparation and
performance of this Agreement.

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43. Each Party and signatory to this Agreement represents that it freely and
voluntarily enters into this Agreement with the benefit of legal counsel and
without any degree of duress or compulsion.

44. All questions with respect to the construction or interpretation of the
Agreement and the Parties’ rights and liabilities shall be governed by the laws
of the State of California and this Agreement is enforceable pursuant to
Section 664.6 of the California Code of Civil Procedure. The exclusive
jurisdiction and venue for any dispute relating to this Agreement is the
Superior Court for the County of Los Angeles. This Agreement and any other
document referenced herein or attached hereto is admissible in any action or
proceeding to enforce the terms of this Agreement.

45. This Agreement is the result of arm’s-length negotiation between the
Parties, and all Parties, directly and through counsel, have contributed
substantially and materially to its preparation. For purposes of construing this
Agreement, this Agreement shall be deemed to have been drafted by all Parties to
this Agreement and shall not, therefore, be construed against any Party for that
reason in any subsequent dispute, and the canon of contract interpretation set
forth in California Civil Code Section 1654 as well as under any other statutes
or common law principles of similar effect (both in California and in any
foreign jurisdiction) shall not be applied.

46. This Agreement constitutes the complete agreement between the Parties and
supersedes any and all other prior and contemporaneous oral or written
agreements, communications or representations.

47. This Agreement is executed without reliance upon any representations,
understandings, or commitments, whether formal or informal, or oral or written,
by any Party released.

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48. This Agreement may not be amended except by written consent of Office Depot
and Plaintiffs.

49. The undersigned represent and warrant that they are fully authorized to
execute this Agreement on behalf of the Parties so indicated by their signature.

50. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which constitutes an
original and all of which constitute one and the same Agreement.

51. This Agreement is binding on the Parties’ successors, transferees, heirs,
and assigns.

52. Facsimiles of signatures shall constitute acceptable, binding signatures for
purposes of this Agreement.

53. Each Party represents and warrants that:

(a) it has the full legal authority, right, and capacity to enter into this
Agreement and to bind the Party to perform its obligations hereunder, including
any third-party authorization necessary to release the claims being released
hereunder.

(b) this Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by such
Party and, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by the other
Parties, constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Party,
enforceable against such Party in accordance with its terms;

(c) the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the performance by such Party
of its obligations hereunder and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby, will not: (i) result in the violation by such Party of any
statute, law, rule, regulation or ordinance or any judgment, decree, order,
writ, permit, or license of any governmental or regulatory authority applicable
to such Party; or (ii) require such Party to obtain any consent, approval or
action of any person, which consent, approval, or action has not already been
obtained or accomplished by such Party;

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(d) it has not assigned, subrogated, pledged, loaned, hypothecated, conveyed, or
otherwise transferred, voluntarily or involuntarily any claims based on the
Covered Conduct, or any interest in or part or portion thereof, specifically
including any rights arising out of claims related to the Covered Conduct, to
any other person or entity; and

(e) it has read and understands this Agreement and it has had the opportunity to
consult with its attorneys before signing it.

54. Each of the Parties hereto agrees to execute and deliver, or to cause to be
executed and delivered, all such instruments, and to take all such action
necessary to effectuate the intent and purposes of, and to carry out the terms
of, this Agreement.

55. Any failure by any Party to insist upon the strict performance by any other
Party of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall not be deemed a waiver of
any of the provisions hereof, and such Party, notwithstanding such failure,
shall have the right thereafter to insist upon the strict performance of any and
all of the provisions of this Agreement to be performed by such other Party. No
waiver, express or implied, by any Party of any breach or default in the
performance by the other Party of its obligations under this Agreement shall be
deemed or construed to be a waiver of any other breach, whether prior,
subsequent or contemporaneous, under this Agreement.

56. All of the exhibits attached to this Agreement are material and integral
parts hereof and are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth
herein.

57. The Parties and their respective counsel agree to cooperate fully with one
another in order to effect the consummation of the settlement of the Actions.

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58. Any notices required under this Agreement (other than notice to the
Government Entities as provided in Paragraphs 25 and 27), shall be provided by
e-mail and Federal Express, as follows:

To Office Depot:

Heather Stern, Esq.

Vice President, Associate General Counsel,

Business Litigation & Compliance

Office Depot, Inc.

6600 North Military Trail

Boca Raton, Florida 33496

Heather.Stern@officedepot.com

with a copy to:

Daniel F. Katz, Esq.

Williams & Connolly LLP

725 Twelfth St., NW

Washington, DC 20005

dkatz@wc.com

To Plaintiffs:

Eric R. Havian, Esq.

Stephen Hasegawa, Esq.

Phillips & Cohen LLP

100 The Embarcadero, Suite 300

San Francisco, CA 94105

erh@pcsf.com

ssh@pcsf.com

Robert Nelson, Esq.

Lexi Hazam, Esq.

Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein LLP

275 Battery Street, 29th Floor

San Francisco, CA 94111

rnelson@lchb.com

lhazam@lchb.com

Ronald S. Whitaker, Esq.

200 N. Main Street, 9th Floor

City Hall East, Room 916

Los Angeles, CA 90012

ronald.whitaker@lacity.org

*    *    *

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OFFICE DEPOT, INC.

 

DATED:     By:        

 

           

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ESTATE OF DAVID SHERWIN

 

DATED:     By:        

 

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PHILLIPS & COHEN LLP

 

DATED:     By:        

 

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LIEFF CABRASER HEIMANN & BERNSTEIN LLP

 

DATED:     By:        

 

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LAW OFFICES OF MARK A. KLEIMAN

 

DATED:     By:        

 

Attorneys for Cities of Azusa, Colton, Corona, Davis, Fontana, Indian Wells, Los
Angeles, Santa Maria, Shafter, and Woodland; San Joaquin County Office of
Education, Stanislaus County Office of Education, Baldwin Park Unified School
District, Elk Grove Unified School District, Merced Union High School District,
Monrovia Unified School District, Rowland Unified School District, and Stockton
Unified School District; and for Qui Tam Plaintiff Estate of David Sherwin

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SANFORD HEISLER LLP

 

DATED:     By:        

 

Attorneys for Cities of Azusa, Colton, Corona, Davis, Fontana, Indian Wells, Los
Angeles, Santa Maria, Shafter, and Woodland; San Joaquin County Office of
Education, Stanislaus County Office of Education, Baldwin Park Unified School
District, Elk Grove Unified School District, Merced Union High School District,
Monrovia Unified School District, Rowland Unified School District, and Stockton
Unified School District; and for Qui Tam Plaintiff Estate of David Sherwin

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BALDWIN PARK UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

 

DATED:     By:        

 

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CITY OF AZUSA

 

DATED:     By:        

 

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CITY OF COLTON

 

DATED:     By:        

 

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CITY OF CORONA

 

DATED:     By:        

 

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CITY OF DAVIS

 

DATED:     By:        

 

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CITY OF FONTANA

 

DATED:     By:        

 

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CITY OF INDIAN WELLS

 

DATED:     By:        

 

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CITY OF LOS ANGELES

 

DATED:     By:        

 

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CITY OF SANTA MARIA

 

DATED:     By:        

 

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CITY OF SHAFTER

 

DATED:     By:        

 

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CITY OF WOODLAND

 

DATED:     By:        

 

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COUNTY OF SANTA CLARA

 

DATED:     By:        

 

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ELK GROVE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

 

DATED:     By:        

 

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MERCED UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT

 

DATED:     By:        

 

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MONROVIA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

 

DATED:     By:        

 

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ROWLAND UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

 

DATED:     By:        

 

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SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCTION

 

DATED:     By:        

 

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STANISLAUS COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION

 

DATED:     By:        

 

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STOCKTON UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

 

DATED:     By: