"In their 2021 lawsuit filed in Boston federal court, David and Ina Steiner said that the company engaged in a conspiracy to intimidate, threaten to kill, torture, terrorize, stalk and silence them in order to stifle their reporting on eBay. The Natick residents, who run EcommerceBytes, an online newsletter focused on the e-commerce industry, said they were subjected to cyberstalking, death threats and in-person surveillance by former eBay workers."
"Federal prosecutors have said the harassment included anonymous deliveries of items like live cockroaches and spiders, a funeral wreath, and a bloody pig face mask to the couple's home. In 2020, federal prosecutors charged seven former eBay employees, alleging they carried out a coordinated harassment campaign against the couple after becoming angered by coverage in the couple's online newsletter."
"Most of the defendants pleaded guilty to charges including conspiracy and cyberstalking and were later sentenced to prison terms or home confinement. In 2024, eBay Inc. agreed to pay a $3 million criminal penalty under a deferred prosecution agreement with federal authorities."
David and Ina Steiner, who operate EcommerceBytes newsletter covering e-commerce industry issues, filed a 2021 lawsuit against eBay after experiencing coordinated harassment by former company employees. The harassment included cyberstalking, death threats, in-person surveillance, and bizarre anonymous deliveries such as live insects, funeral wreaths, and a bloody pig mask. Seven former eBay employees were federally charged for the campaign, with most pleading guilty to conspiracy and cyberstalking charges, receiving prison sentences or home confinement. eBay paid a $3 million criminal penalty in 2024 under a deferred prosecution agreement. The Steiners' civil lawsuit settlement terms remain undisclosed, with the case dismissed Wednesday pending finalization within 60 days.
Read at www.mercurynews.com
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