January 14, 2024 eBay has been fined a staggering $3 million, the maximum criminal penalty, for a shocking harassment campaign against David and Ina Steiner, the Massachusetts couple behind the EcommerceBytes newsletter. The Steiners faced an 18-day terror campaign in August 2019, led by eBay’s former senior director of safety and security, Jim Baugh, along with six co-conspirators.
The harassment included disturbing deliveries such as a bloody pig mask, live insects, and a GPS tracker planted on their car. This nightmarish experience was part of a broader plan to “take down” the couple, instigated by then-CEO Devin Wenig and then-chief communications officer Steven Wymer.
All seven former eBay employees involved in the case were convicted on felony charges, with Baugh receiving a 57-month federal prison sentence. The FBI and DOJ played crucial roles in the investigation. eBay has acknowledged all facts in the case and extended apologies to the Steiners. To prevent future misconduct, the company must now have an independent corporate compliance monitor.
This verdict, ironically was unveiled during Stalking Awareness Month.
Sources include: ArsTechnica
