EBay, former executives agree to $55.7 million settlement over blogger harassment

EBay and three former senior executives have agreed to a $55.7 million settlement with Massachusetts newsletter publishers David and Ina Steiner, resolving a civil lawsuit over a 2019 stalking and harassment campaign linked to criticism of the company.

The Steiners announced the settlement on Monday, July 27, 2026. They filed the federal lawsuit in Boston in 2021 after former eBay employees were prosecuted for a campaign that included mailing cockroaches, fly larvae and a bloody pig mask to their home. Participants also travelled from California to Massachusetts to monitor the couple and attempted to place a GPS tracker on their vehicle.

Under the agreement, eBay will pay the Steiners $46.15 million, provide $6 million to nonprofit organisations and publish a statement addressing the conduct of three former executives. The company said the treatment of the Steiners was wrong and reiterated its apology.

The Steiners publish EcommerceBytes, a newsletter that has covered and at times criticised the online marketplace. Prosecutors said the harassment was intended to silence that coverage. Seven former eBay employees previously pleaded guilty and received prison sentences of up to 57 months. EBay separately agreed in 2024 to pay a $3 million criminal penalty.

Former chief executive Devin Wenig, who was not criminally charged and has denied knowing about or participating in the campaign, will pay the Steiners $2 million and contribute $1 million in Ina Steiner’s name to a charity focused on First Amendment rights, according to the plaintiffs’ lawyers. Former executives Wendy Jones and Steve Wymer will pay $500,000 and $50,000 respectively.

The settlement closes the Steiners’ civil case and adds a substantial corporate and individual financial consequence to the earlier criminal proceedings arising from the campaign.