United News of Bangladesh

A Massachusetts couple who were targeted with threats and disturbing anonymous deliveries by former employees of eBay Inc. have reached a settlement with the company, bringing an end to a civil lawsuit linked to one of the most unusual corporate harassment cases in recent years. David and Ina Steiner, residents of Natick, filed the lawsuit in federal court in 2021, accusing eBay of orchestrating a campaign to intimidate and silence them because of their reporting on the company. The couple run EcommerceBytes, an online newsletter covering the e-commerce industry. Discord delays global age verification after backlash They alleged that former eBay employees subjected them to cyberstalking, death threats, in-person surveillance and a series of anonymous deliveries meant to frighten and harass them. Those deliveries included live insects, a funeral wreath and other unsettling items sent to their home. The settlement terms were not made public. US District Judge Patti Saris formally dismissed the case on Wednesday after the parties reached an agreement, while allowing either side to reopen the case within 60 days if the settlement is not finalized. An eBay spokesperson declined further comment, referring instead to the court order. When the lawsuit was first filed, the company acknowledged that the actions of the former employees were wrong and said it would take appropriate steps to address what the Steiners experienced. In 2020, federal prosecutors charged seven former eBay employees, accusing them of carrying out a coordinated harassment campaign after becoming angry over coverage published by the couple. Most of those charged later pleaded guilty to offenses including conspiracy and cyberstalking and were sentenced to prison terms or home confinement. In a related development, eBay agreed in 2024 to pay a $3 million criminal penalty under a deferred prosecution agreement with federal authorities. Prosecutors have said the harassment also included sending explicit magazines in David Steiner’s name to a neighbor and plotting to secretly place a GPS tracking device on the couple’s vehicle, underscoring the severity of the campaign that ultimately led to criminal convictions and the civil settlement.