eBay and several former executives settled a civil lawsuit by agreeing to pay approximately $56 million to Ina and David Steiner, a Massachusetts couple subjected to a harassment and stalking campaign in 2019 [1, 2, 3]. The Steiners run the eCommerceBytes newsletter and website, which had drawn negative attention from some senior eBay leaders due to its critical reporting on the company [1, 2, 3].
The abuse included online threats and disturbing physical deliveries to the couple's home, such as live cockroaches and spiders, a bloody pig mask, a funeral wreath, and a book about surviving widowhood [1, 2, 3]. Former eBay CEO Devin Wenig and other senior executives were implicated in ordering or encouraging the harassment campaign, with Wenig once texting "Take her down" according to court documents [1, 2, 3]. Wenig later claimed the harassment “was deliberately done in secret and without my knowledge” [1].
Seven ex-eBay employees pleaded guilty in criminal court to charges tied to these actions [1, 2, 3]. James Baugh, former eBay safety director, was sentenced to nearly five years in prison [1]. In 2024 the company paid a $3 million criminal penalty related to the case [3].
Under the settlement reached July 28, 2026, eBay will pay between $46.1 million and $48.7 million, Devin Wenig will contribute $2 million, and other former executives including Wendy Jones and Steve Wymer will pay $500,000 and $50,000 respectively [1, 2, 3]. eBay and Wenig also agreed to donate a combined $7 million to nonprofit groups, including a $1 million donation from Wenig to a First Amendment organization [2, 3].
eBay issued a statement saying, “What the Steiners were subjected to by former eBay employees in 2019 was wrong, reprehensible and should never have happened. The 2019 conduct is not representative of eBay’s culture.” The company noted it has since improved leadership and policies on workplace conduct [1, 2, 3].
Ina Steiner said, "We have had to fight so hard along the way that it’s kind of hard to believe that it’s now over, but we’re very happy about it." David Steiner added, "That allows us to hopefully live the rest of our lives in peace." Their attorney Christopher Murphy emphasized that the case was about accountability and protecting journalists, not just money [3, 2].
The settlement resolves the civil lawsuit filed by the Steiners in 2021 and closes a painful chapter for the couple. The next court deadline will involve finalizing payment disbursements and confirming charitable donations according to the settlement terms [1, 2, 3].
