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eBay to pay nearly $50 million to couple targeted by employees
AP News • • general
Key Points:
- eBay Inc. agreed to pay nearly $50 million to David and Ina Steiner, founders of EcommerceBytes, after former employees harassed the couple with threats and disturbing anonymous deliveries, including live insects and a bloody pig mask.
- The settlement resolves over six years of legal proceedings and includes $7 million in charitable donations to organizations supporting First Amendment rights, with no confidentiality clause, allowing the Steiners to speak openly about the case.
- The harassment campaign involved cyberstalking, death threats, and in-person surveillance, leading to criminal charges against seven former eBay employees, most of whom pleaded guilty and received prison or home confinement sentences.
- eBay acknowledged wrongdoing by former executives, issued an apology, and committed to public statements and strengthened policies, emphasizing that the misconduct was not reflective of its current culture.
- The settlement includes personal payments from former executives totaling over $2.5 million and aims to send a strong message against corporate misconduct and the suppression of free speech.
