eBay reaches $55.7 million settlement with Massachusetts couple that was "terrorized" in stalking scandal - CBS News

What the report says

CBS News reported that eBay has agreed to a $55.7 million settlement with Ina and David Steiner, a Natick, Massachusetts, couple who run the e-commerce trade publication ECommerceBytes and were targeted in a 2019 harassment and cyberstalking campaign by former company employees. The case drew national attention because the abuse moved from online threats to disturbing deliveries and in-person surveillance tied to people working for a major technology company.

According to CBS, the Steiners received items including a bloody pig mask, live spiders and a book about coping with a spouse’s death. Pornographic magazines were sent to neighbors in David Steiner’s name, and their home was advertised on Craigslist as a destination for sexual encounters. Law enforcement later connected a rental van that had followed David Steiner to an eBay employee, and the Justice Department charged seven eBay executives and employees in 2020. Some of those involved were sentenced to prison.

Federal prosecutors said the campaign stemmed from anger inside eBay over the Steiners’ newsletter and comments posted by readers. CBS reported that former CEO Devin Wenig and former communications chief Steve Wymer had sent aggressive messages about the publication; Wenig has said his message referred to a communications strategy and that the harassment was carried out without his knowledge.

Under the settlement described by CBS, the Steiners will receive $48.7 million, including $2 million from Wenig. eBay will donate $6 million to charities, while Wenig will contribute $1 million to a First Amendment charity in Ina Steiner’s name. eBay, which paid a $3 million criminal penalty in 2024, again apologized and condemned the former employees’ conduct.