eBay agrees $56M settlement with bloggers over harassment case
17 hours ago
- eBay and former executives agreed to pay David and Ina Steiner $56 million over a harassment campaign in retaliation for their online criticism.
- The Steiners, who ran EcommerceBytes, faced threats including a pig blood mask, a funeral wreath, and attempts to install a tracking device on their car.
- Seven former eBay executives pleaded guilty to criminal charges between 2022 and 2024 for their roles in the harassment.
- eBay paid a $3 million fine as part of a deferred prosecution agreement, and former CEO Devin Wenig personally contributed $1 million to the settlement.
- Wenig's text message 'Take her down' was characterized as part of a PR strategy, not a direct threat, by his representative.
- The settlement includes $6 million to various non-profit organizations, with Wenig's portion going to a charity protecting First Amendment rights.
- eBay admitted the harassment was 'wrong, reprehensible and should never have happened' and condemned the former employees involved.