Key facts
- EBay and three former executives agreed to pay $55.7 million to settle a harassment lawsuit.
- The lawsuit was filed by David and Ina Steiner, who were targeted in a cyber-stalking campaign.
- The campaign was a retaliation for the couple's critical coverage of EBay in their newsletter.
- EBay will pay $46.15 million to the Steiners and contribute $6 million to nonprofits.
- Former CEO Devin Wenig will pay $2 million and make a $1 million charity donation.
- Seven former eBay employees were prosecuted and sentenced for their involvement in the scheme.
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 bizarre stalking and harassment campaign. The campaign, carried out by several former employees, was allegedly in retaliation for the couple's critical coverage of the e-commerce company in their newsletter, EcommerceBytes.
David and Ina Steiner announced the settlement late Monday, ending a case they filed in 2021. As part of the agreement, EBay will pay $46.15 million to the couple, fund $6 million in charitable contributions to nonprofit organizations, and issue a statement condemning the conduct of the executives involved. The company stated that what happened was "wrong, reprehensible and should never have happened" and extended its "deepest apologies."
Former CEO Devin Wenig, who stepped down in September 2019, will pay the Steiners $2 million and make a $1 million donation to a charity focused on protecting First Amendment rights in Ina Steiner's name. Wendy Jones, former senior vice president of global operations, and Steve Wymer, former chief communications officer, will pay $500,000 and $50,000, respectively. The Steiners' attorneys indicated that additional settlements were reached with other former EBay employees named in the lawsuit.
Prosecutors stated that the aim of the campaign was to silence the Steiners after senior executives deemed their newsletter critical of the company. The harassment reportedly began after then-CEO Devin Wenig texted Steve Wymer in August 2019, stating it was time to "take her down," referring to Ina Steiner. EBay itself was criminally charged and agreed in 2024 to pay a $3 million fine. Seven former EBay workers pleaded guilty and received sentences of up to 57 months in prison for participating in the scheme, which included traveling from California to surveil the Steiners and attempt to install a GPS tracking device on their car.