eBay Sent a Bloody Pig Mask and Owed $56m: A Tale of Corporate Harassment
eBay sent them a bloody pig mask. Now it owes $56 million, and no NDA.
For criticising eBay in their newsletter, David and Ina Steiner were subjected to bizarre and menacing tactics, including live cockroaches, a funeral wreath, and, yes, a bloody pig mask. Six years later, after a criminal case and a civil suit, eBay and three former executives are paying nearly $56 million.
The Disturbing Campaign Unfolded Thusly:
In 2019, David and Ina Steiner’s EcommerceBytes newsletter critically covered eBay’s practices. In response, the company launched a campaign to silence them. This culminated in a series of disturbing events:
- Live cockroaches and spiders sent to their home.
- A funeral wreath, bloody pig mask, and book about surviving a spouse’s death mailed to them.
- Pornographic magazines sent to a neighbor in David’s name.
- Threats made through fake online accounts.
- Physical surveillance and attempts to track the couple’s car.
- Even plans to send a "Samoan gang" to their house.
All this was ordered by then-eBay CEO Devin Wenig, who texted, "It’s time to take her down," referring to Ina Steiner. Communications chief Steve Wymer went further, expressing desire for the couple’s destruction in messages revealed during the case.
The Aftermath and Resolution:
Seven eBay employees and contractors pleaded guilty, with security chief James Baugh receiving a five-year prison sentence. eBay itself paid a $3 million criminal fine. Now, the civil suit has been settled, with the following payments:
- $46.15 million from eBay.
- $2 million from Wenig.
- $500,000 from former operations chief Wendy Jones.
- $50,000 from Wymer.
- An additional $6 million in charity and a $1 million payment to a press freedom group in Ina Steiner’s name.
Despite the substantial sum, the real victory for the Steiners is their right to speak out. Their lawyer, Christopher Murphy, highlighted the attack on free speech and press freedom. Ina Steiner echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of holding powerful entities accountable.