In this paper we present an augmented mixed formulation applied to generalized Stokes problem and uses it as state equation in an optimal control problem. The augmented scheme is obtained adding suitable least squares terms to the corresponding velocity-pseudostress formulation of the generalized Stokes problem. To ensure the existence and uniqueness of solution, at continuous and discrete levels, we prove coerciveness of the corresponding augmented bilinear form, and using approximation properties of the respective discrete subspaces, we deduce the optimal rate of convergence. As by product, and considering the associated optimal control problem, we derive error estimates for the approximated control unknown. Finally, we present several numerical examples confirming the theoretical properties of this approach. (c) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.