EBay and three former executives have reached a $55.7 million settlement with David and Ina Steiner. The Massachusetts couple was targeted in a disturbing stalking campaign by company staff after criticizing the e-commerce giant in their newsletter.
The $55.7 Million Price Tag for Corporate Retaliation
According to the report, the financial resolution includes $46.15 million paid directly to David and Ina Steiner, while $6 million is earmarked for charitable contributions. former CEO Devin Wenig is personally contributing $2 million to the couple and $1 million to a charity focused on protecting First Amendment rights.
Other former executives, including Wendy Jones and Steve Wymer, are also paying damages as part of the agreement. This massive payout underscores the legal risks associated with corporate retaliation against private citizens who use their platforms to critique powerful entities.
From Bloody Pig Masks to 57-Month Prison Sentences
The harassment campaign was notably visceral, involving the delivery of cockroaches, fly larvae, and a bloody Halloween pig mask to the Steiner residence. The source notes that the campaign also included surveillance and an attempt to install a GPS tracking device on the couple's vehicle.
The criminal consequences for these actions were severe, with seven former EBay workers pleading guilty to charges related to the cyber-stalking scheme. Some of these individuals received prison sentences of up to 57 months, highlighting the shift from corporate misconduct to felony criminal activity.
Devin Wenig's Order to 'Take Her Down'
The catalyst for the campaign was a text message from then-CEO Devin Wenig to Steve Wymer, the then-chief communications officer, stating it was time to "take her down" in reference to Ina Steiner. This directive was a response to the Steiners' coverage of EBay in their independent newsletter.
This incident reflects a dangerouus trend where corporate power is weaponized to silence critics through intimidation rather than public relations. The use of company resources to conduct a private intelligence operation against bloggers is a grave breach of corporate ethics and a violation of basic privacy rights.
The Unnamed Employees and the Scope of the 'Take Down' Order
While the settlement covers the top executives, the report mentions that additional settlements were reached with other EBay employees who were named in the lawsuit. However, the specific amounts paid by these unnamed staff members remain undisclosed, leaving a gap in the total financial cost of the scandal.
It remains unclear whether EBay has implemented systemic changes to prevent such "take down" cultures from reforming within its leadership. Furthermore, the source does not specify the exact wording of the "strongly-worded statement" EBay must issue regarding the conduct of its former leadership, which will be a key indicator of whether the company truly accepts responsibility.
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