eBay fined $3M for harassment involving sending live cockroaches to Massachusetts couple
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eBay has agreed to pay a $3 million penalty following a harassment campaign conducted by its employees involving the sending of live cockroaches to a Massachusetts couple.
The U.S. Justice Department announced the fine last Thursday, attributing responsibility to eBay for the harassment campaign its employees executed against David and Ina Steiner, in 2019.
This involved stalking the Steiners and sending them various disturbing items, including live cockroaches, a pig mask covered in fake blood, and a funeral wreath.
It started with Ina Steiner publishing an article about eBay suing Amazon for poaching their sellers in 2019, which prompted Devin Wenig, then CEO of eBay, to express his desire to “take down” Ina Steiner in text messages to some company executives.
Subsequently, Jim Baugh, who was eBay’s Senior Director of Safety and Security at the time, together with six other security employees, initiated a campaign of harassment against the couple.
In addition to the $3 million fine, eBay must organize staff training and improve its corporate culture to prevent similar incidents.
Questions & Answers
Q.Which specific items were sent to the Massachusetts couple as part of the harassment campaign?
Which specific items were sent to the Massachusetts couple as part of the harassment campaign?
The harassment campaign involved sending the couple various disturbing items. These included live cockroaches, a pig mask covered in fake blood, and a funeral wreath, alongside other acts of stalking.
Q.What was the initial trigger for eBay's employees to begin harassing the couple?
What was the initial trigger for eBay's employees to begin harassing the couple?
The harassment began after Ina Steiner published an article in 2019 about eBay suing Amazon. This prompted the then eBay CEO, Devin Wenig, to express a desire to 'take down' Ina Steiner.
Q.Beyond the financial penalty, what other measures is eBay required to implement?
Beyond the financial penalty, what other measures is eBay required to implement?
In addition to the $3 million fine, eBay is mandated to organise staff training. The company must also work on improving its corporate culture to actively prevent any similar incidents from occurring in the future.
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