Home / Crime and Justice / Ebay Pays $55.7M Over Harassment Campaign
Ebay Pays $55.7M Over Harassment Campaign
28 Jul
Summary
- Ebay and executives will pay $55.7 million to settle harassment lawsuit.
- Couple received threatening deliveries and online harassment.
- Company previously pleaded guilty and paid a $3 million penalty.
Ebay and former executives have agreed to pay $55.7 million to settle a lawsuit alleging a targeted harassment campaign. The campaign began after Ina and David Steiner published blogs critical of the e-commerce retailer on their online newsletter.
The Steiners accused company leadership of orchestrating a campaign that included mailing threatening items to their home, such as live cockroaches and a bloody pig's head mask. They also reported experiencing online harassment, with strangers invited to their residence.
In a 2024 criminal case, Ebay pleaded guilty and paid a $3 million penalty. Seven former employees received prison sentences ranging from one to five years between 2021 and 2022.
The settlement includes $48.7 million in compensation for the couple and $6 million to charitable organizations. Additionally, former CEO Devin Wenig will contribute $1 million to a free speech charity.
