eBay has agreed to pay $56 million to bloggers David and Ina Steiner, ending a seven-year legal battle over a harassment campaign carried out by former company employees after the couple criticized the online marketplace.
The Steiners, who run the website and newsletter EcommerceBytes, sued eBay and several former executives in 2019 after they were targeted with disturbing deliveries and intimidation tactics.
According to court filings and a Justice Department investigation, they received items including insects, a bloody pig mask, a funeral wreath, a fetal pig, and a book about coping with the death of a spouse.
The harassment extended beyond mailed packages. The couple's home address was posted online, threats were made against them on social media, fake ads were created using their address, and former eBay employees were accused of attempting to install tracking devices on their vehicles.
Seven former eBay employees and executives pleaded guilty to criminal charges related to the campaign, while the company previously paid a $3 million criminal fine as part of a Justice Department case.
Announcing the settlement on July 28, eBay said the harassment "never should have happened" and described the employees' actions as "wrong" and "reprehensible." The company said the agreement reflects its commitment to fairly compensate the Steiners.
Former eBay CEO Devin Wenig will also contribute $1 million toward the settlement after internal communications revealed he had encouraged action against Ina Steiner. The Steiners' attorney said the outcome sends a strong message that corporations and their executives can face serious consequences for misconduct.