Home » US business news » eBay to pay $3 million fine after couple was sent live cockroaches
eBay to pay $3 million fine after couple was sent live cockroaches
https://www.whatjobs.com/news/usa/us-business-news/ebay-to-pay-3-million-fine-after-couple-was-sent-live-cockroaches
By Hugh Fort in US business news, posted January 13, 2024
eBay has agreed to pay a $3 million fine to settle criminal allegations after its employees targeted a couple in a range of disturbing events.
Staff at the online marketplace targeted David and Ina Steiner by sending them items, including live cockroaches and spiders, a funeral wreath, and a bloody pig mask.
Staff also sent the couple a book called "Surviving the Loss of a Spouse."
Not only were they targeted at home, but eBay staff also made their home address public, meaning strangers would turn up at fake yard sales and social events.
Looking to boost your online brand? Create your FREE business profile at WhatBiz? Here
The couple write the online newsletter EcommerceBytes, which is said to have annoyed some top executives at eBay.
The staff involved were prosecuted several years ago, but the Department of Justice (DOJ) prosecuted the company on charges including stalking.
eBay has now entered a legal agreement, which, upon adherence to specific conditions, might lead to the dismissal of these charges, as stated by the US attorney's office in Massachusetts.
Harassment started in 2019
The harassment began in 2019 following an article by Mrs. Steiner about a lawsuit involving eBay and Amazon.
Shortly after the article's publication, court records reveal that eBay's then-CEO, Devin Wenig, messaged a senior executive, suggesting it was time to "take her down."
This message was then forwarded to James Baugh, eBay's former senior director of safety and security, who labeled Mrs. Steiner a "biased troll who needs to get BURNED DOWN."
Seven former eBay employees, including Baugh, eventually admitted guilt in the case.
Baugh was jailed for nearly five years in 2022, while another former executive, David Harville, was sentenced to two years.
Wenig, who resigned as CEO in 2019, has not faced criminal charges and denies any knowledge or involvement in the harassment campaign.
His legal team argues that his "take her down" comment was misconstrued, implying lawful measures rather than criminal actions.
Prosecutors identified Baugh as the primary orchestrator of this scheme.
Need Career Advice? Get employment skills advice at all levels of your career.
Harville's lawyers claimed he had no involvement in or knowledge about the threatening messages or deliveries sent by his colleagues.
Baugh's lawyers claim their client faced pressure from Mr Wenig and other executives to do something about the couple.
Baugh said he was pushed out by the company when "an army of outside lawyers descended to conduct an 'internal investigation' aimed at saving the company and its top executives from prosecution".
Follow us on X, LinkedIn, and Facebook.
