Updated Jul 29, 2026
/Hermes shares extend decline past 10%, hit lowest since 2023/South Korea completes development of KF-21 Boramae fighter jet/eBay and former executives settle journalist stalking lawsuit for $55.7 million/Economists call Mamdani's city grocery plan an 'illusion' funded by taxpayer subsidies/NIESR raises UK growth forecast but warns persistent inflation remains a significant challenge/Wahoo Kickr Core 2 trainer at $399.99 as retailers cut $150 from list price/Hermes shares extend decline past 10%, hit lowest since 2023/South Korea completes development of KF-21 Boramae fighter jet/eBay and former executives settle journalist stalking lawsuit for $55.7 million/Economists call Mamdani's city grocery plan an 'illusion' funded by taxpayer subsidies/NIESR raises UK growth forecast but warns persistent inflation remains a significant challenge/Wahoo Kickr Core 2 trainer at $399.99 as retailers cut $150 from list price
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eBay and former executives settle journalist stalking lawsuit for $55.7 million

NATICK, Mass., July 29. A $55.7 million settlement resolved a civil lawsuit by journalists Ina and David Steiner against eBay and three of its former executives over a stalking and harassment campaign that targeted the couple in 2019. Ina Steiner disclosed the agreement on EcommerceBytes, the e-commerce news website she and her husband run from Natick, Massachusetts.

By Marcus Cole2 min read
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NATICK, Mass., July 29. A $55.7 million settlement resolved a civil lawsuit by journalists Ina and David Steiner against eBay and three of its former executives over a stalking and harassment campaign that targeted the couple in 2019. Ina Steiner disclosed the agreement on EcommerceBytes, the e-commerce news website she and her husband run from Natick, Massachusetts.

The 2019 harassment campaign

The Steiners received deliveries to their home of live cockroaches, a funeral wreath, a book about surviving the death of a spouse, and a bloody pig mask. Those carrying out the campaign also sent threatening messages through email and Twitter and attempted to plant a GPS tracking device on the couple's car. The conduct was designed to stop the Steiners' reporting, Ina Steiner said.

Criminal charges followed. Multiple former eBay employees pleaded guilty and received prison sentences.

Settlement terms

Ina Steiner described the agreement as a landmark civil rights settlement. The $55.7 million total covers compensation and charitable commitments, with $46 million going to the journalists. eBay and three former executives are parties to the deal. The Steiners had filed the civil lawsuit in 2021.

About EcommerceBytes

EcommerceBytes is a news site focused on the e-commerce industry, operated by the Steiners from Natick, Massachusetts. The criminal cases against former eBay employees, which produced guilty pleas and prison sentences, were resolved before the Steiners brought their civil complaint in 2021.

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Key takeaways

Frequently asked

How much was the eBay stalking settlement and who receives the money?

The settlement totaled $55.7 million, covering compensation and charitable commitments, with $46 million going to journalists Ina and David Steiner.

What did the 2019 harassment campaign involve?

The Steiners received deliveries of live cockroaches, a funeral wreath, a book about surviving a spouse's death, and a bloody pig mask, along with threatening email and Twitter messages and an attempt to plant a GPS tracker on their car.

Why were the Steiners targeted?

The conduct was designed to stop the Steiners' reporting on the e-commerce industry through their news site EcommerceBytes, according to Ina Steiner.

Did anyone face criminal charges over the campaign?

Yes, multiple former eBay employees pleaded guilty and received prison sentences, and those criminal cases were resolved before the Steiners filed their civil lawsuit in 2021.

When was the civil lawsuit filed?

The Steiners filed the civil lawsuit against eBay and three former executives in 2021.