eBay Pays $56M to Couple Harassed by Former Executives in Shocking 2019 Plot

eBay has agreed to pay $56 million to a newsletter-writing couple who were targeted by the company's former executives in a bizarre harassment campaign.

One of the most bizarre episodes in e-commerce history has finally come to a close.

In 2019, eBay executives concocted a plan to intimidate Ina and David Steiner, the co-authors of EcommerceBytes, into halting their negative coverage of the company. The couple was subjected to a horrific targeted harassment campaign, which included sock puppet social media accounts, anonymous threatening letters, and bizarre items in the mail.

According to previously released court documents, the plan involved sending the couple items such as live spiders and cockroaches, pornographic magazines, a bloody pig mask, a funereal wreath, and a book about surviving the death of a spouse. The settlement this week resolves a 2021 civil case brought by the couple against eBay.

The settlement includes $46.15 million paid to the couple by eBay itself, as well as $2 million from former eBay executive CEO Devin Wenig.

Additionally, $500,000 will be paid out to the couple from former eBay executive Wendy Jones, as well as $50,000 from former eBay executive Steve Wymer. Additional funds are being paid to various non-profits.

In 2022, seven former eBay employees were criminally charged and pled guilty in relation to the plot, including the company's former security chief, James Baugh — who was sentenced to nearly five years in prison.

eBay has disavowed its former employees' behavior as 'not representative of eBay's culture.'

The company has also extended its deepest apologies to the Steiners and stated that the agreement is consistent with its commitment to fairly compensate the couple and make things right.

As one of the Steiners' attorneys said, 'This case was always about more than obtaining financial recovery.'

The couple wanted to uncover the truth, protect journalists and publishers, hold those responsible accountable, deter future corporate misconduct, and help ensure others would never have to endure what they experienced.

The eBay scandal serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of corporate intimidation and harassment.

As the tech industry continues to grow and evolve, it is essential that companies prioritize transparency, accountability, and respect for their employees, customers, and critics.

eBay's actions in this case are a step in the right direction, but much work remains to be done to restore trust and credibility in the e-commerce industry.

The Steiners' story is a testament to the importance of standing up for one's rights and speaking truth to power.

As the couple's attorneys said, 'This case was always about more than obtaining financial recovery.'

It was about uncovering the truth, protecting journalists and publishers, holding those responsible accountable, deterring future corporate misconduct, and helping ensure others would never have to endure what they experienced.