eBay and former executives sued by insurer over $55.7 million cyberstalking settlement

ACE Property & Casualty Insurance filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California alleging that eBay and three former senior officers settled a cyberstalking lawsuit without the insurer’s consent. The insurer claims the harassment campaign was intentional and therefore excluded under eBay’s $50 million commercial umbrella policy. ACE seeks a ruling that it is not liable for the $55.7 million settlement, which includes $48.7 million to the victims and $7 million in charitable contributions.

If the court rules in ACE’s favor, eBay could avoid paying the insurer’s share of the settlement, reducing its out‑of‑pocket costs. Conversely, a ruling that coverage applies would increase eBay’s liability and could affect its insurance premiums and financial statements.

  • 1ACE Property & Casualty Insurance filed the complaint on November 12, 2026 in the Northern District of California.
  • 2The lawsuit targets eBay and three former executives: former CEO Devin Wenig, former chief communications officer Steve Wymer, and former senior vice president of global operations Wendy Jones.
  • 3ACE alleges the settlement totalled $55.7 million, comprising $48.7 million paid to the Steiners and $7 million in charitable contributions.
  • 4eBay’s commercial umbrella policy provides $50 million of excess coverage above a primary $1 million per‑occurrence limit.
  • 5ACE argues the policy excludes coverage because the harassment was intentional and directed by eBay’s senior leadership.
  • 6ACE claims eBay settled without providing the insurer with the proposed settlement terms or obtaining its consent.

Sources