BOSTON – eBay Inc. has agreed to pay nearly $50 million to a Massachusetts couple, David and Ina Steiner, after they experienced a targeted harassment campaign by former employees of the online marketplace. The harassment included strange and threatening deliveries, such as live insects, a funeral wreath, and a bloody pig Halloween mask. These details emerged from a settlement announced on Tuesday.
The Steiners, who run EcommerceBytes—a newsletter focused on the e-commerce industry—had initially reached a tentative settlement in February. However, they needed to reopen the case in June to finalize the agreement, which ultimately resolves over six years of legal battles related to this bizarre harassment.
As part of the settlement, eBay will pay the Steiners $48.7 million, including $46.15 million from the company itself and additional amounts from former executives involved in the case. They will also contribute $7 million to charities that support First Amendment rights. Attorney Christopher Murphy, representing the couple, stated that this outcome is a significant message against corporate attempts to suppress free speech.
Murphy emphasized that this case was not only about the harassment of the Steiners but also about protecting free speech and the press. The settlement does not include a confidentiality clause, meaning the Steiners can openly discuss their experiences and the broader implications of their case.
The Steiners’ ordeal began when they reported on eBay, leading to a coordinated harassment campaign by several former employees. This campaign included cyberstalking, death threats, and even physical surveillance. In 2020, federal prosecutors charged seven former eBay employees for their roles in this disturbing conspiracy, most of whom pleaded guilty to charges such as conspiracy and cyberstalking.
eBay has since acknowledged the misconduct of the former employees, stating that their actions were “wrong and reprehensible.” The company has made changes in leadership and strengthened its policies to prevent such incidents from happening in the future.
The Steiners will receive the majority of the settlement amount, with additional donations aimed at supporting free speech initiatives. This case serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting journalists and publishers from harassment, especially when they are reporting on powerful corporations.
Murphy concluded that this resolution is a clear warning to corporations that they cannot engage in such misconduct without facing serious consequences. The settlement not only compensates the Steiners but also aims to deter future corporate harassment and uphold the principles of free speech.
