eBay has agreed to pay nearly $50 million to a Massachusetts couple who endured a disturbing harassment campaign orchestrated by former company employees, bringing an end to one of the most shocking corporate misconduct cases in recent years.
The settlement resolves a years-long legal battle filed by David and Ina Steiner, founders of the e-commerce news website EcommerceBytes, who accused former eBay staff of attempting to intimidate and silence them over their reporting on the online marketplace.
Harassment Campaign Included Cockroaches and Threatening Deliveries
According to court documents, the harassment campaign escalated from threatening messages on social media to bizarre and frightening anonymous deliveries.
The Steiners received:
-
- Live cockroaches and spiders
-
- A funeral wreath
-
- A blood-covered pig Halloween mask
-
- A book about coping with the death of a spouse
- Pornographic magazines sent to neighbours using David Steiner’s name
Former employees also allegedly planned to install a GPS tracking device on the couple’s vehicle and conducted physical surveillance of their home.
Ina Steiner said the campaign left the family terrified and confused.
She explained that she never imagined a company she had covered professionally for decades would be behind such an effort to intimidate journalists.
Settlement Worth Nearly $50 Million
Under the agreement, the Steiners will receive $48.7 million in compensation.
The settlement includes:
-
- $46.15 million from eBay
-
- $2 million from former CEO Devin Wenig
-
- $500,000 from former executive Wendy Jones
- $50,000 from former executive Steve Wymer
In addition, eBay will donate $6 million to nonprofit organisations, while Wenig will contribute another $1 million to a charity supporting First Amendment rights in Ina Steiner’s name.
Unlike many corporate settlements, this agreement contains no confidentiality clause, allowing the Steiners to publicly discuss the case.
Criminal Case Already Led to Convictions
The civil settlement follows criminal proceedings launched in 2020 after federal prosecutors charged seven former eBay employees over the coordinated harassment campaign.
Most of the former employees pleaded guilty to charges including cyberstalking and conspiracy, receiving prison sentences or home confinement.
In 2024, eBay also agreed to pay a $3 million criminal penalty under a deferred prosecution agreement with U.S. authorities.
eBay Issues Fresh Apology
Following the settlement, eBay acknowledged that the conduct of its former employees was unacceptable.
The company stated that the actions did not reflect its corporate culture and said it has since introduced stronger ethics policies, improved oversight, and implemented additional employee training to prevent similar incidents.
Couple Hope Case Protects Journalists
The Steiners said they wanted the settlement to remain public because they hope it serves as a warning against corporate intimidation and protects journalists who report independently.
Their legal team described the outcome as a significant victory for press freedom and accountability, arguing that powerful companies should face serious consequences when attempting to silence critical reporting.
