Journalists Ina and David Steiner have received a $55.7 million settlement from eBay, concluding a nearly two-year legal battle. The settlement follows six years of criminal and civil proceedings against the company, which admitted fault and apologised for a harassment campaign orchestrated by its former employees.
The campaign, which unfolded over several weeks in 2019, targeted the Massachusetts-based couple after their e-zine, EcommerceBytes, published reporting critical of eBay, including its then CEO Devin Wenig's compensation. The Steiners received online threats and disturbing deliveries to their suburban Boston home, which included live spiders, a bloody pig mask, and a book on surviving the death of a spouse. Pornographic magazines were also sent to their neighbours, and their home was listed online for pop-up yard sales and swingers' parties.
Investigators determined that eBay's security chief, James Baugh, acting on orders, directed a group of employees to target the Steiners. In 2020, the Department of Justice charged seven eBay executives and employees with cyberstalking. Baugh was sentenced to 57 months in prison in 2022. In 2024, eBay itself entered into a deferred-prosecution agreement, admitting to a detailed statement of facts, facing six felony counts, and agreeing to pay a $3 million criminal penalty.
Former eBay CEO Devin Wenig, who stepped down in 2019, agreed to pay $2 million to the Steiners and $1 million to a First Amendment rights charity in Ina Steiner's name. The Steiners have both been diagnosed with PTSD since the 2019 ordeal and continue to receive therapy and medication.
A new Prime Video documentary, 'Whatever It Takes', directed by Jenny Carchman, retraces the Steiners' experience.