Former eBay Executives Settle $56 Million Civil Lawsuit Over Alleged Harassment of Critics
A civil lawsuit filed in 2021 against former eBay executives has been settled for nearly $56 million after allegations that the company orchestrated a harassment campaign targeting David and Ina Steiner, publishers of EcommerceBytes. The couple claimed they received threatening deliveries including live spiders, cockroaches, a bloody pig mask, funeral wreaths, and other disturbing items as part of an effort to silence their reporting on eBay's practices. The settlement includes $46.15 million from eBay, $2 million from former CEO Devin Wenig, and $550,000 from two additional ex-executives. An additional $7 million will be donated to charitable causes in honor of Ina Steiner’s advocacy for First Amendment rights. The case concluded a protracted legal battle that the couple described as physically, mentally, emotionally, and financially draining. The lawsuit alleged eBay's leadership directed security staff to intimidate the Steiners through online harassment, fake invitations, tracking devices on their vehicle, and stalking. While six former employees were criminally indicted in 2024 with a $3 million fine levied against eBay, civil action was necessary for accountability according to David Steiner.
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Topics: corporate misconduct e-commerce harassment settlement