David Steiner and Ina Steiner reach $55.7 million settlement with eBay over bizarre corporate harassment campaign
David Steiner and Ina Steiner have reached a $55.7 million settlement with eBay and three former top executives to resolve a lawsuit regarding a bizarre harassment campaign. The couple, who published a newsletter critical of the e-commerce giant, were targeted by several employees who sent them items such as cockroaches, fly larvae, and a bloody Halloween pig mask. As part of the agreement, eBay will pay the couple $46.15 million, with $6 million designated for charitable contributions. Former CEO Devin Wenig will personally pay $2 million to the couple and contribute $1 million to a charity focused on First Amendment rights. Additionally, former executives Wendy Jones and Steve Wymer will pay the couple $500,000 and $50,000, respectively. The settlement concludes a case filed in 2021 following the 2019 campaign. eBay admitted the conduct was reprehensible and issued a formal apology. The company also agreed to a $3 million fine in the2024 criminal charges. The Steiners' attorneys stated the resolution serves as a warning that corporations cannot engage in misconduct without facing consequences.