eBay and Former Executives Settle Harassment Lawsuit for $56 Million
eBay and three former top executives, including ex-CEO Devin Wenig, agreed to pay $55.7 million to settle a civil lawsuit by David and Ina Steiner, a Massachusetts couple harassed by eBay employees in 2019. The campaign—retaliation for the couple’s critical newsletter EcommerceBytes—included sending cockroaches, a bloody pig mask, and death threats. Seven former employees pleaded guilty in a related criminal case. The settlement includes eBay paying $46.15 million, charitable contributions, and a public apology.
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Former eBay executives settle harassment lawsuit for $56 million after sending live spiders and a bloody pig mask to critics
Former eBay executives, including ex-CEO Devin Wenig, have agreed to pay nearly $56 million to settle a civil lawsuit brought by David and Ina Steiner, publishers of the e-commerce trade publication EcommerceBytes. The lawsuit alleged a coordinated harassment campaign in 2019 that included sending live spiders, cockroaches, a bloody pig mask, a funeral wreath, and a book on grieving a spouse's death to the Steiners' home. The campaign also involved stalking, attempted vehicle tracking, and posting the couple's address online. Under the settlement, the Steiners will receive $46.15 million from eBay, $2 million from Wenig, and $550,000 from two other ex-executives, plus $7 million in charitable donations. The Steiners said the litigation took a physical, mental, and financial toll, and they hope the settlement deters future corporate misconduct.
Former eBay executives settle harassment lawsuit for $56 million after sending live spiders and bloody pig mask to critics
Former eBay executives have agreed to pay nearly $56 million to settle a civil lawsuit brought by David and Ina Steiner, a Massachusetts couple who publish the e-commerce trade publication EcommerceBytes. The lawsuit alleged that in 2019, eBay's leadership orchestrated a coordinated harassment campaign to intimidate, threaten, and silence the Steiners after their reporting drew criticism from the company. The campaign allegedly included sending live spiders, cockroaches, a bloody pig mask, a funeral wreath, and a book about grieving a spouse's death to the couple's home. Other alleged acts included stalking, attempting to place a tracking device on their vehicle, posting their address online, and creating fake invitations to sex parties. Under the settlement, eBay will pay $46.15 million, former CEO Devin Wenig will pay $2 million, and two other ex-executives will pay $550,000. An additional $7 million will go to charitable donations. The U.S. Department of Justice previously indicted six former eBay employees and a contractor, and eBay paid a $3 million criminal fine.
eBay to Pay Nearly $50 Million Over Harassment Campaign Against Bloggers
eBay has agreed to pay approximately $50 million to settle a lawsuit with Massachusetts couple David and Ina Steiner, who run an e-commerce newsletter. The settlement stems from a 2019 harassment campaign by former eBay employees, who sent the couple packages containing live cockroaches, spiders, a preserved fetal pig, a funeral wreath, and a bloody pig mask. The employees also engaged in cyberstalking, death threats, and in-person surveillance after becoming angered by the Steiners' reporting. The Steiners will receive $48.7 million in compensation, including contributions from former CEO Devin Wenig ($2 million), former executive Wendy Jones ($500,000), and former executive Steve Wymer ($50,000). eBay will also fund $6 million in charitable donations, and Wenig will contribute an additional $1 million to a First Amendment charity. Six former eBay employees and one contractor previously pleaded guilty to criminal charges in connection with the scheme.
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eBay agrees $55.7m settlement over Steiner cyberstalking campaign
eBay and several former executives have agreed to pay $55.7 million to settle a civil lawsuit brought by Ina and David Steiner over a 2019 harassment campaign. The Steiners, operators of the EcommerceBytes news site, were targeted by former eBay employees in what their lawyers described as a 'terror campaign' intended to stop their reporting. The settlement concludes more than six years of criminal and civil proceedings. Under the agreement, the Steiners will receive $48.7 million in total compensation, with eBay paying $46.15 million, former CEO Devin Wenig paying $2 million, former executive Wendy Jones paying $500,000, and former executive Steve Wymer paying $50,000. eBay also agreed to provide $6 million in charitable donations and issue a public statement condemning the conduct. The settlement does not include a confidentiality clause. The article also notes that GameStop proposed a $55.5 billion acquisition of eBay in May 2026, which eBay's board rejected.
eBay agrees $55.7m settlement over Steiner cyberstalking campaign
eBay and several former executives have agreed to pay $55.7 million to settle a civil lawsuit brought by Ina and David Steiner, operators of the EcommerceBytes news site, over a 2019 harassment campaign. Former eBay employees targeted the Steiners with a 'terror campaign' that included sending cockroaches, fly larvae, and a bloody Halloween pig mask to stop their reporting. The settlement concludes more than six years of criminal and civil proceedings. Under the agreement, the Steiners will receive $48.7 million in total compensation, with eBay paying $46.15 million, former CEO Devin Wenig paying $2 million, former executive Wendy Jones paying $500,000, and former executive Steve Wymer paying $50,000. eBay also agreed to provide $6 million in charitable donations, and Wenig will make a separate $1 million donation to a First Amendment organization in Ina Steiner's name. The settlement includes no confidentiality clause, allowing the Steiners to speak publicly about the case.
eBay to Pay Nearly $50 Million Over Employees' Harassment of Massachusetts Couple
eBay has agreed to pay nearly $50 million to settle a lawsuit stemming from a campaign of harassment and intimidation by former employees against a Massachusetts couple who ran a newsletter critical of the company. The harassment included sending a bloody pig mask, cockroaches, and death threats to the couple. The settlement resolves the civil case, which alleged that eBay employees engaged in a coordinated stalking operation to silence the couple's coverage. The case highlights extreme corporate misconduct and has drawn significant attention to employee behavior and corporate accountability.
eBay pays $55.7 million to settle blogger stalking lawsuit
eBay and three former top executives agreed to pay $55.7 million to settle a civil lawsuit brought by Massachusetts couple David and Ina Steiner, who were subjected to a stalking and harassment campaign by eBay employees in 2019. The harassment was in retaliation for the Steiners' coverage of eBay in their newsletter, EcommerceBytes. Under the settlement, eBay will pay $46.15 million and fund $6 million in charitable contributions. Former CEO Devin Wenig will pay $2 million to the couple and $1 million to a First Amendment charity. Former executives Wendy Jones and Steve Wymer also agreed to payments. The harassment included menacing messages, live insects, a funeral wreath, a bloody pig mask, and attempted GPS tracking. Seven former eBay employees pleaded guilty to criminal charges, with the longest sentence being 57 months. eBay itself paid a $3 million criminal fine in 2024. The settlement contains no confidentiality provision.
EBay and Former Executives to Pay $56 Million in Blogger Harassment and Stalking Settlement
EBay and several former executives have agreed to pay nearly $56 million to settle a civil lawsuit with Ina and David Steiner, a Massachusetts couple who run the ecommerce blog EcommerceBytes. In 2019, the Steiners were subjected to a harassment and stalking campaign by former eBay employees, including online threats, surveillance, and deliveries of live insects, a funeral wreath, and a bloody pig mask. The campaign was allegedly designed to stop their critical reporting about eBay. The settlement includes a $46.1 million payment from eBay, $2 million from former CEO Devin Wenig, and smaller amounts from other former executives. Seven former eBay employees pleaded guilty to criminal charges related to the scheme. Wenig denied knowledge of the harassment, but communications revealed he had said to 'take her down' regarding Ina Steiner.
EBay and Former Executives to Pay $56 Million in Blogger Harassment Settlement
EBay and several former executives, including former CEO Devin Wenig, have agreed to pay nearly $56 million to settle a civil lawsuit brought by Ina and David Steiner, a Massachusetts couple who run the ecommerce blog eCommerceBytes. The couple was subjected to a 2019 harassment and stalking campaign orchestrated by former eBay employees, which included online threats, deliveries of live insects, a funeral wreath, a bloody pig mask, and physical surveillance including an attempt to install a GPS tracker on their car. The campaign was allegedly motivated by the Steiners' critical coverage of eBay. The settlement includes a $46.1 million payment from eBay, $2 million from Wenig, and payments from other former executives. Seven former eBay employees have pleaded guilty to criminal charges related to the scheme. eBay issued a statement condemning the conduct and stating it has since strengthened its policies and leadership.
EBay and former executives to pay $56 million to settle couple's harassment case
EBay and three former top executives have agreed to pay $55.7 million to resolve a lawsuit filed by David and Ina Steiner, a Massachusetts couple who were victims of a bizarre stalking and harassment campaign carried out by eBay employees. The campaign, which included sending cockroaches, fly larvae, and a bloody Halloween pig mask, was retaliation for the couple's critical coverage of eBay in their newsletter, EcommerceBytes. Seven former eBay workers pleaded guilty and received prison sentences. As part of the settlement, eBay will pay $46.15 million to the couple, fund $6 million in charitable contributions, and issue a statement condemning the conduct of its former executives. Former CEO Devin Wenig, who was not charged, will pay $2 million to the couple and make a $1 million donation to a First Amendment charity. The settlement resolves a case filed in 2021 after federal prosecutions of the perpetrators.
EBay and Former Executives Pay $56 Million to Settle Harassment Lawsuit by Couple
EBay and three former top executives have agreed to pay $55.7 million to resolve a lawsuit filed by David and Ina Steiner, a Massachusetts couple who were victims of a stalking and harassment campaign by eBay employees. The campaign, which included sending cockroaches, fly larvae, and a bloody pig mask, was retaliation for the couple's critical newsletter, EcommerceBytes. As part of the settlement, eBay will pay $46.15 million, fund $6 million in charitable contributions, and issue a statement condemning the conduct. Former CEO Devin Wenig will personally pay $2 million and donate $1 million to a First Amendment charity. Seven former eBay employees had previously pleaded guilty in a related criminal case, with sentences up to 57 months. eBay itself paid a $3 million criminal fine in 2024.
EBay and former executives to pay $56 million to settle couple's harassment case
EBay and three former top executives have agreed to pay $55.7 million to resolve a lawsuit filed by David and Ina Steiner, a Massachusetts couple who were victims of a stalking and harassment campaign by eBay employees. The campaign, which included sending cockroaches, fly larvae, and a bloody pig mask, was retaliation for the couple's critical coverage of eBay in their newsletter EcommerceBytes. Seven former eBay workers pleaded guilty and received prison sentences. As part of the settlement, eBay will pay $46.15 million, fund $6 million in charitable contributions, and issue a statement condemning the conduct. Former CEO Devin Wenig will pay $2 million and donate $1 million to a First Amendment charity. Former executives Wendy Jones and Steve Wymer will pay $500,000 and $50,000 respectively. eBay previously paid a $3 million criminal fine in 2024.
EBay and former executives to pay $56 million to settle couple's harassment case
EBay and three former top executives have agreed to pay $55.7 million to resolve a lawsuit filed by David and Ina Steiner, a Massachusetts couple who were victims of a stalking and harassment campaign by eBay employees in 2019. The campaign, which included sending cockroaches, fly larvae, and a bloody pig mask, was retaliation for the couple's critical newsletter coverage of eBay. Seven former employees pleaded guilty and received prison sentences. As part of the settlement, eBay will pay $46.15 million to the couple, fund $6 million in charitable contributions, and issue a statement condemning the conduct. Former CEO Devin Wenig will pay $2 million and donate $1 million to a First Amendment charity. Other former executives also agreed to payments. The company apologized and called the conduct 'wrong and reprehensible.'