Online retail giant eBay Inc. is set to pay a $3 million fine to settle criminal charges related to a disturbing harassment campaign orchestrated by its employees.
The Justice Department accused eBay of stalking, witness tampering, and obstruction of justice, following a three-year investigation into the extensive scheme aimed at intimidating David and Ina Steiner, publishers of the online newsletter EcommerceBytes.
The Criminal Charges
The harassment campaign unfolded in response to the couple’s coverage, which had displeased eBay executives.
The Justice Department officially charged eBay for the reprehensible actions of its employees who engaged in a campaign involving the delivery of live spiders, cockroaches, and other unsettling items to the Steiners’ home in Massachusetts.
This campaign led to cabin depressurization, exposing passengers to open air thousands of feet above the ground. Disturbing footage captured by passengers showed a noticeable hole where the door plug had detached.
eBay accepted responsibility for the employees’ actions and entered into a deferred prosecution agreement with the US attorney’s office in Massachusetts. The agreement stipulates that eBay could have the charges against the company dismissed if it complies with certain conditions.
As part of the agreement, an independent monitor will oversee eBay for three years to ensure compliance with terms and federal law.
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eBay CEO Acknowledges Wrongdoing
eBay’s CEO Jamie Iannone acknowledged the wrongdoing of the company in 2019, calling the conduct “wrong and reprehensible.”
Iannone emphasized that eBay has since implemented strengthened policies, procedures, controls, and training. The company remains committed to upholding high standards of conduct and ethics.
The Steiners, who were subjected to cyberstalking and disturbing deliveries, have filed a federal lawsuit against eBay, highlighting the damaging and permanent impact on their lives.
They received threatening Twitter messages, strange emails, and packages containing live spiders, a funeral wreath, a bloody pig mask, and more. In their statement, the Steiners expressed frustration that more executives were not charged.
The harassment campaign began in 2019 after Ina Steiner wrote a story about eBay’s lawsuit against Amazon.
Court records indicate that eBay’s then-CEO, Devin Wenig, allegedly sent a message urging action against Ina Steiner. Seven former employees, including eBay’s senior director of safety and security James Baugh, pleaded guilty to charges in connection with the scheme.
eBay’s $3 million fine and the deferred prosecution agreement signal the severity of the company’s culpability in the disturbing harassment campaign orchestrated by its employees.
The impact on the Steiners underscores the need for corporate accountability and highlights the broader challenges of ensuring ethical behavior in large organizations.
The case serves as a reminder of the consequences that can unfold when companies fail to maintain high standards of conduct and take swift action against wrongdoing within their ranks.
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