From what I've read, that whole thing wasn't ultimately about taxes and the signed message from Lauda prior to the operation explains what they were doing.  It was ill-advised for them to do that, especially as Lauda was a staff member at the time, and he/she even admits that.  I think that's also why Lauda got removed as a staff member, but I did not see this as a true extortion attempt, especially coming from Quickseller.  Those two have been feuding since forever.

As far as the harassment goes, that's an assertion that I've never seen evidence for.  I'd tend to agree that threatening via telephone is a really bad idea, but I don't think I have all the facts to make a judgement on that.  I don't know what was said or if any such phone call was ever made.  I don't even really understand what the whole sting operation was supposed to be about other than the suspicion that zeroxal was involved in some criminal activity.

If you delete this post, at least quote it first.

I did not see this as a true extortion attempt,
 I don't even really understand what the whole sting operation was supposed to be about other than the suspicion that zeroxal was involved in some criminal activity.