eBay and three former executives have agreed to pay nearly $56 million in a settlement over a bizarre campaign of cyberstalking and harassment that targeted two journalists in 2019. The victims, Ina and David Steiner, run the news website EcommerceBytes from Natick, Massachusetts.

The couple endured a macabre delivery of live cockroaches, a funeral wreath, a book about surviving the loss of a spouse, and a bloody pig mask to their home. They also received harassing messages via email and Twitter, with an attempt made to install a GPS tracking device on their car.

The case resulted in criminal charges, leading to guilty pleas and prison terms for former eBay employees. Ina Steiner stated that the lawsuit was filed against eBay and its former executives over the stalking and harassment campaign designed to stop their reporting.

eBay will pay $46.15 million in compensation to the Steiners, with an additional $2 million from former CEO Devin Wenig, $500,000 from former Senior Vice President of Global Operations Wendy Jones, and $50,000 from former Chief Communications Officer Steve Wymer. eBay will also donate $6 million to various charities.

The settlement includes charitable commitments dedicated to protecting First Amendment rights in the name of Ina Steiner by Devin Wenig.