eBay to pay $3 million for harassment targeting Massachusetts couple over newsletter
ABC News
Executives retaliated against the couple over their newsletter coverage of eBay.
eBay will pay a $3 million criminal penalty for a campaign of harassment and intimidation undertaken by company executives that included anonymous home deliveries of a bloody pig mask, live insects and a funeral wreath, the Department of Justice said on Thursday.
The harassment targeted a Massachusetts couple for its online coverage of eBay, the DOJ said.
The San Jose, California, based online shopping firm was slapped with felony charges, including stalking, witness tampering and obstruction of justice, the DOJ added. The harassment took place roughly four years ago.
"eBay engaged in absolutely horrific, criminal conduct. The company's employees and contractors involved in this campaign put the victims through pure hell, in a petrifying campaign aimed at silencing their reporting and protecting the eBay brand," Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy said in a statement.
eBay did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
