BOSTON, MA – Online auction giant eBay has been hit with a hefty $3 million fine to settle criminal charges brought against it for a horrifying campaign of harassment and intimidation against a couple who criticized the company. The couple, David and Ina Steiner, received unsolicited deliveries of live spiders, cockroaches, a funeral wreath, and even a pig fetus after publishing a newsletter critical of eBay.
According to acting Massachusetts U.S. Attorney Josh Levy, eBay’s conduct was “absolutely horrific” and amounted to criminal behavior. The Steiners filed a lawsuit against eBay in 2021, accusing the company of engaging in a coordinated effort to intimidate, threaten, and silence them in order to stifle their reporting on eBay.
In addition to the disturbing deliveries, eBay employees were accused of falsely accusing the couple’s publication of being a phishing site, using fake identities to post critical comments, and sending sexually explicit materials to the Steiners’ neighbors in an attempt to defame and harm their reputation. Seven eBay employees pleaded guilty to various charges, with eBay’s senior director of safety and security receiving a nearly five-year prison sentence.
The Steiners have spoken out about the damaging and permanent impact of eBay’s harassment campaign on their lives, both emotionally and financially. They emphasized the need for federal prosecutors to take action to deter corporate executives and board members from creating a culture where stalking and harassment is tolerated or encouraged.
It has been reported that eBay could avoid paying the $3 million fine if it complies with certain conditions set by the U.S. attorney’s office in Massachusetts. This ruling serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences for corporations who engage in unethical and criminal behavior.