eBay and several former executives agreed to pay nearly $56 million to settle a civil case with Massachusetts couple Ina and David Steiner, who were victims of a 2019 harassment and stalking campaign. The settlement resolves a 2021 lawsuit stemming from what attorneys described as a 'terror campaign' designed to silence the Steiners' reporting on eCommercebytes, a website followed by online sellers that had angered eBay leadership. Communications revealed in a 2024 criminal complaint showed former CEO Devin Wenig instructed colleagues to 'take her down' in reference to Ina Steiner. The harassment included deliveries of live insects, a funeral wreath, and a bloody pig mask to the couple's home, along with surveillance and an attempted GPS tracker installation on their vehicle. Seven former eBay employees pleaded guilty to criminal charges related to the scheme, with the company stating the conduct was 'wrong, reprehensible and should never have happened.'
eBay and Former Executives Agree to $56 Million Settlement Terms
The settlement includes a payment of approximately $46.1 million from eBay, $2 million from Wenig, $500,000 from eBay's former senior vice president of operations, and $50,000 from eBay's former chief communications officer. The company and Wenig also agreed to donate to various nonprofits as part of the agreement. Attorneys for the Steiners said additional and separate settlements were reached with all other employees named in the civil complaint.
Harassment Campaign Included Live Insects and Surveillance in 2019
The couple received a stream of online threats and strange deliveries to their home, including live insects, a funeral wreath, a bloody pig mask, and a book about surviving the loss of a spouse. Former eBay employees surveilled the Steiners and attempted to install a GPS tracker on their car to monitor their whereabouts. The Steiners run eCommercebytes, a website closely followed by online sellers, which had angered eBay executives who didn't like its tone and content.
Seven Former Employees Pleaded Guilty to Criminal Charges
Seven former eBay employees pleaded guilty to charges related to their roles in the scheme. James Baugh, eBay's former senior director of safety and security, was sentenced to almost five years in prison. Wenig was not named in the criminal case and told the Boston Globe in a statement that the harassment was 'deliberately done in secret and without my knowledge.'
eBay Issues Statement Condemning Former Employees' Conduct
EBay said in a statement that the settlement 'fulfills our efforts to make things right' with the Steiners. The company stated, 'What the Steiners were subjected to by former eBay employees in 2019 was wrong, reprehensible and should never have happened. We condemn, in the strongest terms possible, the employees who perpetrated and pled guilty to criminal charges for the misconduct against Ina and David Steiner.' The company said the conduct 'is not representative of eBay's culture' and that following the incident, it has installed new leaders and 'strengthened its policies, procedures, controls and training.'
FAQ
What did eBay agree to pay in the harassment settlement?
EBay and several former executives agreed to pay nearly $56 million to settle a civil case with Ina and David Steiner. The settlement includes approximately $46.1 million from eBay, $2 million from former CEO Devin Wenig, $500,000 from eBay's former senior vice president of operations, and $50,000 from eBay's former chief communications officer.
What harassment did the Steiners experience in 2019?
The Steiners received online threats and strange deliveries including live insects, a funeral wreath, a bloody pig mask, and a book about surviving the loss of a spouse. Former eBay employees also surveilled the couple and attempted to install a GPS tracker on their car to monitor their whereabouts.
