Feds charge eBay over employees who sent live spiders and cockroaches to couple; company to pay $3M

BOSTON (AP) — Online retailer eBay has agreed to pay a $3 million fine to resolve criminal charges over employees who harassed a Massachusetts couple by sending live spiders, cockroaches and other disturbing items to their home.

The Justice Department charged eBay in criminal information with stalking, witness tampering and obstruction of justice on Thursday.

The employees were already prosecuted more than three years ago in the scheme to intimidate David and Ina Steiner.

The Massachusetts U.S. attorney’s office says eBay has entered a deferred prosecution agreement that could result in the charges against the company being dismissed if it complies with certain conditions.

eBay CEO Jamie Iannone called the company’s conduct in 2019 “wrong and reprehensible.”

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