Online retailer eBay Inc. has agreed to pay a $3 million fine to settle criminal charges regarding a disturbing harassment campaign carried out by its employees. Court documents filed on Thursday revealed that these employees sent live spiders, cockroaches, and other unsettling items to the home of a Massachusetts couple. The couple, David and Ina Steiner, operated an online newsletter called EcommerceBytes, which had drawn criticism from eBay executives due to its coverage.
The Justice Department has charged eBay with stalking, witness tampering, and obstruction of justice in a criminal information. The employees involved in the campaign had already been prosecuted for their actions. In an effort to resolve the charges, eBay has entered into a deferred prosecution agreement, which may lead to the dismissal of the charges against the company if specific conditions are met, according to the U.S. attorney's office in Massachusetts.
