● Covered by 6 sources · 7 reportsMedium impact1 negative6 neutral
eBay and Former Executives Settle Harassment Lawsuit for $56 Million
Key points
- eBay and former executives settled a civil lawsuit for $56 million.
- The lawsuit was filed by Ina and David Steiner of EcommerceBytes.
- The settlement resolves a 2019 harassment and cyberstalking campaign.
- Former eBay employees sent disturbing items and online threats.
- The campaign aimed to silence critical reporting on eBay.
Settlement Reached in Harassment Case
eBay and several former executives have agreed to a settlement totaling approximately $56 million with Ina and David Steiner, a Massachusetts couple who operate the website EcommerceBytes. This agreement resolves a civil lawsuit filed by the Steiners in 2021, which alleged a campaign of harassment and cyberstalking by former eBay employees in 2019.
Details of the Harassment Campaign
The harassment campaign was initiated after the Steiners published articles critical of eBay on their newsletter, EcommerceBytes. Former eBay employees engaged in various tactics, including sending disturbing items to the couple's home such as live insects, a funeral wreath, a bloody pig mask, and a book about surviving the loss of a spouse. They also sent online threats and attempted to install a GPS tracker on the Steiners' car.
Communications revealed in a 2024 criminal complaint showed senior eBay executives discussing Ina Steiner, with former CEO Devin Wenig reportedly stating to "take her down."
Financial Breakdown of the Settlement
The total settlement amount is nearly $56 million. This includes a payment of approximately $46.1 million directly from eBay to the Steiners. Additionally, former CEO Devin Wenig will pay $2 million, and other former executives contributed to the settlement. The agreement also includes $6 million in charitable contributions to non-profit organizations.
Previous Criminal Proceedings
The civil settlement follows criminal charges brought by federal prosecutors against seven former eBay employees involved in the harassment. These criminal proceedings resulted in guilty pleas and prison terms for some of the individuals involved in the campaign.
Impact and Statements
The Steiners' attorneys stated that the resolution sends a clear message that corporations and their executives will face significant consequences for such misconduct. eBay issued a statement acknowledging that what happened to the Steiners was "wrong, reprehensible and should never have" occurred.
✨ This summary was generated by AI from the outlets' reporting listed below. It is not independently verified and may contain errors — check the original sources. How BrevFeed works →
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How outlets covered it
eBay has paid a $55.7 million settlement to Ina and David Steiner, publishers of EcommerceBytes, concluding a six-year legal battle over a harassment campaign orchestrated by former eBay employees. The campaign involved online threats and disturbing deliveries to the Steiners' home, aiming to silence their reporting on eBay. This settlement highlights the severe consequences companies face for employee misconduct and the risks journalists encounter.
eBay and several former executives have reached a settlement totaling over $48 million with journalists Ina and David Steiner, who were targets of a cyberstalking and harassment campaign in 2019. This resolution concludes a legal case stemming from actions by eBay employees to silence critical reporting, highlighting corporate accountability for employee misconduct.
eBay and three former executives will pay $55.7 million to a Massachusetts couple, David and Ina Steiner, to resolve a 2021 lawsuit alleging a cyberstalking campaign in 2019. This settlement concludes a legal case involving former eBay employees who harassed the couple over their newsletter's coverage of eBay.
eBay and three former executives agreed to pay $55.7 million to settle a lawsuit stemming from a 2019 cyberstalking and harassment campaign against two journalists. The settlement includes $46.15 million from eBay directly to the victims, Ina and David Steiner, who operate the news website EcommerceBytes. This resolution follows criminal charges and prison terms for former eBay employees involved in the harassment.
Ebay and three former top executives have agreed to pay $55.7 million to settle a lawsuit filed by a Massachusetts couple who were victims of a harassment campaign by Ebay employees. This resolution concludes a case stemming from a 2019 cyberstalking incident and includes compensation for the couple, charitable contributions, and a statement from Ebay.
eBay and several former executives have agreed to pay $56 million to Ina and David Steiner, authors of EcommerceBytes, resolving a civil case stemming from a 2019 harassment campaign. The campaign involved sending threatening items and messages after the couple criticized eBay in their newsletter. This settlement closes a chapter on a bizarre incident that led to criminal charges against seven former eBay employees.
eBay and several former executives have agreed to pay nearly $56 million to a Massachusetts couple, Ina and David Steiner, to settle a civil lawsuit stemming from a 2019 harassment and stalking campaign. The settlement resolves a 2021 civil case related to former eBay employees targeting the couple's website, EcommerceBytes, due to critical reporting.