EBay stalking scandal: Difference between revisions

eBay stalking scandal
Duration	Launched in January 2019
Motive	Deter website authors who wrote negative material about EBay
Target	Ina and David Steiner of EcommerceBytes
Arrests	2
Convicted	7
Charges	7

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The eBay stalking scandal was a campaign conducted in 2019 by eBay and contractors. The scandal involved the aggressive stalking and harassment of two e-commerce bloggers, Ina and David Steiner, who wrote frequent commentary about eBay on their website EcommerceBytes.^[1]^[2] Seven eBay employees pleaded guilty to charges involving criminal conspiracies.^[3]^[4] The seven employees included two senior members of eBay’s corporate security team.^[5] Two members of eBay's Executive Leadership Team who were implicated in the scandal were not charged.^[1]

Background

EcommerceBytes

EcommerceBytes is an online newsletter and e-commerce trade publication founded in 1999, four years after eBay was founded. Initially called AuctionBytes, the website offered advice to buyers in the early days of internet commerce. In the years after its founding, the website became a resource for sellers on a number of platforms, from Etsy to Amazon, a kind of trade publication for anyone whose business is selling items online. It is read primarily by sellers, but also by some corporate staff, including some who posted comments on their website.^[6] The website not only offers advice, but also critiques of the corporate and policy changes at eBay and other e-commerce platforms.^[6] For example, in April 2019, Ina Steiner reported there that eBay's then-CEO Devin Wenig was paid 152 times more than the typical eBay employee.^[6]

Activist investor requests changes

In January 2019, Elliott Management, an activist hedge fund,^[6] purchased a significant investment in eBay. They sent a letter to its board of directors requesting changes, such as replacing the CEO,^[6] saying that eBay "as a public-company investment has underperformed both its peers and the market for a prolonged period of time." This was interpreted as placing additional demands on eBay management to produce results, leading to an atmosphere of heightened stress throughout the company.^[7]^[1]

Stalking and harassment

Members of eBay's executive leadership had long been bothered by the couple's posts. Under pressure in early 2019 to enhance performance, the company felt a new sense of urgency. For example, in April 2019, eBay’s chief communications officer at the time, Steve Wymer sent Wenig a post about how outsized Wenig's compensation was compared to typical employees, adding "we are going to crush this lady." One month later Wenig texted Wymer "Take her down."^[6] Wymer allegedly took the concerns to the head of eBay's security division, Jim Baugh, whose team began harassing the Steiners at home and online.^[6] Wymer texted Baugh that Ina Steiner was a "biased troll who needs to be BURNED DOWN"; that he wanted "to see ashes"; and that Baugh should do "whatever it takes."^[8]^[9]

The Steiners were harassed and threatened both online and physically in their home by deliveries of such things as a bloody pig mask, live cockroaches and spiders, a funeral wreath, and large orders of pizza.^[5]^[1]^[6] Pornographic magazines with David Steiner’s name on them were sent to a neighbor’s house.^[5]^[1]^[6]

Employees flew from California to Boston so they could vandalize the couple's Natick, Massachusetts home as well as stalk their personal vehicle.^[1]^[6] Plans were even made to break into the couple's garage and place a GPS tracker on their car.^[1]

EcommerceBytes was not the only source of criticism; Wenig was also concerned about an anonymous persona named Fidomaster (also known as Dan Davis and unsuckEBAY) who frequently commented about eBay on Twitter, EcommerceBytes, and other online forums.^[10]

The stalking and harassment campaign was designed to intimidate EcommerceBytes into changing their coverage of eBay, culminating in the "White Knight Strategy" which enlisted Brian Gilbert to pretend to come to the Steiners' aid in his official eBay capacity as an attempt to win goodwill and gain their help in unmasking the person behind the Fidomaster/unsuckEBAY account. ^[11]

Criminal charges

"This was a determined, systematic effort by senior employees of a major company to destroy the lives of a couple in Natick all because they published content that company executives didn’t like. For a while they succeeded, psychologically devastating these victims for weeks as they desperately tried to figure out what was going on and stop it."

Massachusetts US attorney Andrew Lelling

In June 2020, the U.S. Department of Justice charged six former eBay employees and contractors with conspiracy to commit cyberstalking and conspiracy to tamper with witnesses;^[1] a seventh former employee was charged in July.^[12]

Two former employees were charged and arrested.^[5] They are:^[1]

James Baugh of San Jose, California. He was eBay's Senior Director of Safety & Security. Baugh pleaded guilty in April 2022.^[4] In September 2022, Baugh was sentenced to 57 months in prison.^[13]
David Harville of New York City. He was eBay's former Director of Global Resiliency. Harville pleaded guilty to his participation in the harassment in May 2022. In September 2022 Harville was sentenced to 24 months in prison.^[13]

Five former employees were charged but not arrested. Each of these individuals was charged with conspiracy to commit cyberstalking and conspiracy to tamper with witnesses. All of them pleaded guilty to the charges.^[3] They are:^[1]

Stephanie Popp of San Jose, California. She was formerly eBay's Senior Manager of Global Intelligence. She pleaded guilty in October 2020.^[14] In October of 2022, Popp was sentenced to 13 months in prison.^[13]
Stephanie Stockwell of Redwood City, California. She was formerly the manager of eBay's Global Intelligence Center (GIC). She pleaded guilty in October 2020.^[15] In October 2022 Stockwell was sentenced to 24 months of probation.^[13]
Veronica Zea of San Jose, California. She had served as an eBay contractor working as an intelligence analyst in the GIC. She pleaded guilty in October 2020.^[14]
Brian Gilbert of San Jose, California. A former police captain,^[6] he had been a Senior Manager of Special Operations for eBay's Global Security Team. He pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit cyberstalking and conspiring to tamper with a witness in October 2020.^[6]^[15]
Philip Cooke of San Jose, California. He was charged in July 2020, in distinction to the others, who were all charged on June 15, 2020.^[1] He was a supervisor of security operations. Cooke had formerly worked as a police captain in Santa Clara.^[6]^[16] He pleaded guilty in October 2020^[15] and was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison,^[6] followed by 3 years of supervised release (including 12 months of house arrest),^[17] on July 27, 2021.

On January 11, 2024, eBay agreed to pay a $3 million fine as part of a deferred prosecution.^[18]

Civil lawsuit

In July 2021, Ina and David Steiner filed suit against eBay Inc.; former CEO Davin Wenig; former Chief Communications Officer Steve Wymer; the seven defendants in the criminal case; and Progressive F.O.R.C.E Concepts (PFC), an independent security firm.^[19] eBay's former SVP Global Operations Wendy Jones and Progressive F.O.R.C.E Concepts' CEO Steve Krystek were also added to an amended version of the complaint on March 1, 2023.^[10]

The lawsuit claims that Wenig and Wymer "provided the other Defendants with carte blanche authority to terminate the reporting of the Steiners by whatever means necessary, with Defendant Wymer expressing '... I want to see ashes. As long as it takes. Whatever it takes.' Defendant Wymer promised the defendants he would 'embrace managing any bad fallout' if the plan went south, further directing, 'We need to STOP her.' The lawsuit further claims that "All of the horrific, vicious and sickening conduct that followed was committed by employees of eBay and PFC, while acting in the scope of their employment under the authority of and for the benefit of eBay and PFC."^[19]

Internal corporate investigation

After being contacted by law enforcement, eBay hired a law firm to investigate the harassment.^[6] The investigation concluded in September 2019, and all of the people charged with crimes plus the chief communications officer Steve Wymer were fired.^[6] The investigation found that neither Wenig nor Wymer "directed or knew that criminal acts would follow."^[20] Wymer was hired the next year as the head of a local branch of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, a children's charity that knew about Wymer's involvement in the harassment scandal.^[6]^[21]^[22]

The CEO Wenig's messages were deemed "inappropriate" by eBay, but eBay's internal investigation concluded that the CEO did not know about the stalking and harassment activities.^[6] Wenig left eBay in September 2019, with a US$57 million severance package.^[6] After the harassment scandal became news, Wenig was re-elected to the board of General Motors.^[6]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k Streitfeld, David (2020-09-26). "Inside eBay's Cockroach Cult: The Ghastly Story of a Stalking Scandal". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 2020-12-13. Retrieved 2020-09-26.
^ Barrett, Brian (2020-09-26). "Former eBay Execs Allegedly Made Life Hell for Critics". Wired. Archived from the original on 2020-09-18. Retrieved 2020-09-26.
^ ^a ^b "2 former eBay employees indicted in harassment campaign". Associated Press. 2020-11-03. Archived from the original on 2021-12-28. Retrieved 2021-12-28. James Baugh, 45, who was eBay's senior director of safety & security, and David Harville, 48, former director of global resiliency, were indicted on charges including stalking through interstate travel. [...] Five other former employees have pleaded guilty in the case.
^ ^a ^b Richer, Alanna Durkin (12 May 2022). "Final ex-eBay employee in cyberstalking case pleads guilty". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 17 May 2022. Retrieved 17 May 2022.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Durkin Richer, Alanna (2020-06-15). "Feds: eBay staff sent spiders, roaches to harass couple". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 2022-04-30. Retrieved 2021-12-28.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p ^q ^r ^s ^t Damiano, Mike (2 December 2021). ""Take Her Down": Inside eBay's Stalking Campaign against a Natick Couple". Boston Magazine. Archived from the original on 2021-12-28. Retrieved 2021-12-28.
^ "Elliott Management Sends Letter to Board of Directors of eBay". BusinessWire. January 22, 2019. Archived from the original on October 29, 2020. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
^ "SanJoseSpotlight". 5 December 2022. Archived from the original on 2023-02-23. Retrieved 2023-02-23.
^ "Forbes". Forbes. Archived from the original on 2023-02-23. Retrieved 2023-02-23.
^ ^a ^b "Inside The eBay Cyberstalking Scandal: Battle For Justice Rages On". Value Added Resource. 28 February 2023. Archived from the original on 1 July 2023.
^ "eBay Cyberstalking: A Threat To Free Speech & First Amendment Values". Value Added Resource. 27 March 2023. Archived from the original on 27 March 2023.
^ Herrera, Sebastian (2020-06-15). "Justice Department Charges Former eBay Staff With 'Cyberstalking Campaign'". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on 2020-09-20. Retrieved 2020-09-27.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d "Two Former eBay Employees Sentenced for Aggressive Cyberstalking Campaign". October 11, 2022. Archived from the original on February 24, 2023. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
^ ^a ^b "Two Former Ebay Employees Plead Guilty to Aggressive Cyberstalking Campaign Targeting Natick Couple" (Press release). U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Massachusetts. 2020-10-08. Archived from the original on 2021-12-28. Retrieved 2021-12-28.
^ ^a ^b ^c "Two Former eBay Employees Plead Guilty to Aggressive Cyberstalking Campaign Targeting Natick Couple" (Press release). U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Massachusetts. 29 October 2020. Archived from the original on 28 December 2021. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
^ "Former eBay Staffer & Santa Clara Police Captain Charged With Harassing Newsletter Editor". CBS SF Bay Area. July 7, 2020. Archived from the original on September 27, 2020. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
^ "Former eBay Employee Sentenced for Role in Aggressive Cyberstalking Campaign". 27 July 2021. Archived from the original on 3 August 2021. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
^ "Justice Department charges eBay over employees who sent live spiders and cockroaches to Natick couple; company to pay $3 million". The Boston Globe. January 11, 2014.
^ ^a ^b "Lawsuit: eBay tried to "terrorize, stalk, and silence" couple that ran news site". ArsTechnica. 21 July 2021. Archived from the original on 1 March 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
^ Morton, Liz (2022-12-07). "eBay Sued By Insurance In Cyberstalking Case, Exec Political Ties Revealed". Value Added Resource. Archived from the original on 2023-03-01. Retrieved 2023-03-01.
^ "Boys & Girls Clubs of Silicon Valley Names Steve Wymer President and Chief Executive Officer". Boys & Girls Clubs of Silicon Valley. 10 September 2020. Archived from the original on 28 March 2023. Retrieved 28 March 2023.
^ Howey, Brian; Nguyen, Tran (4 January 2023). "Disgraced eBay exec wielded power at San Jose City Hall". San Jose Spotlight.

External links

ecommercebytes.com

[nyt-1] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k Streitfeld, David (2020-09-26). "Inside eBay's Cockroach Cult: The Ghastly Story of a Stalking Scandal". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 2020-12-13. Retrieved 2020-09-26.

[2] Barrett, Brian (2020-09-26). "Former eBay Execs Allegedly Made Life Hell for Critics". Wired. Archived from the original on 2020-09-18. Retrieved 2020-09-26.

[:2-3] "2 former eBay employees indicted in harassment campaign". Associated Press. 2020-11-03. Archived from the original on 2021-12-28. Retrieved 2021-12-28. James Baugh, 45, who was eBay's senior director of safety & security, and David Harville, 48, former director of global resiliency, were indicted on charges including stalking through interstate travel. [...] Five other former employees have pleaded guilty in the case.

[:5-4] Richer, Alanna Durkin (12 May 2022). "Final ex-eBay employee in cyberstalking case pleads guilty". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 17 May 2022. Retrieved 17 May 2022.

[:1-5] Durkin Richer, Alanna (2020-06-15). "Feds: eBay staff sent spiders, roaches to harass couple". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 2022-04-30. Retrieved 2021-12-28.

[:0-6] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p ^q ^r ^s ^t Damiano, Mike (2 December 2021). ""Take Her Down": Inside eBay's Stalking Campaign against a Natick Couple". Boston Magazine. Archived from the original on 2021-12-28. Retrieved 2021-12-28.

[7] "Elliott Management Sends Letter to Board of Directors of eBay". BusinessWire. January 22, 2019. Archived from the original on October 29, 2020. Retrieved September 29, 2020.

[8] "SanJoseSpotlight". 5 December 2022. Archived from the original on 2023-02-23. Retrieved 2023-02-23.

[9] "Forbes". Forbes. Archived from the original on 2023-02-23. Retrieved 2023-02-23.

[:6-10] "Inside The eBay Cyberstalking Scandal: Battle For Justice Rages On". Value Added Resource. 28 February 2023. Archived from the original on 1 July 2023.

[11] "eBay Cyberstalking: A Threat To Free Speech & First Amendment Values". Value Added Resource. 27 March 2023. Archived from the original on 27 March 2023.

[12] Herrera, Sebastian (2020-06-15). "Justice Department Charges Former eBay Staff With 'Cyberstalking Campaign'". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on 2020-09-20. Retrieved 2020-09-27.

[DOJ-13] "Two Former eBay Employees Sentenced for Aggressive Cyberstalking Campaign". October 11, 2022. Archived from the original on February 24, 2023. Retrieved February 24, 2023.

[:3-14] "Two Former Ebay Employees Plead Guilty to Aggressive Cyberstalking Campaign Targeting Natick Couple" (Press release). U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Massachusetts. 2020-10-08. Archived from the original on 2021-12-28. Retrieved 2021-12-28.

[:4-15] "Two Former eBay Employees Plead Guilty to Aggressive Cyberstalking Campaign Targeting Natick Couple" (Press release). U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Massachusetts. 29 October 2020. Archived from the original on 28 December 2021. Retrieved 28 December 2021.

[16] "Former eBay Staffer & Santa Clara Police Captain Charged With Harassing Newsletter Editor". CBS SF Bay Area. July 7, 2020. Archived from the original on September 27, 2020. Retrieved September 29, 2020.

[17] "Former eBay Employee Sentenced for Role in Aggressive Cyberstalking Campaign". 27 July 2021. Archived from the original on 3 August 2021. Retrieved 3 August 2021.

[18] "Justice Department charges eBay over employees who sent live spiders and cockroaches to Natick couple; company to pay $3 million". The Boston Globe. January 11, 2014.

[ARS-19] "Lawsuit: eBay tried to "terrorize, stalk, and silence" couple that ran news site". ArsTechnica. 21 July 2021. Archived from the original on 1 March 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2023.

[20] Morton, Liz (2022-12-07). "eBay Sued By Insurance In Cyberstalking Case, Exec Political Ties Revealed". Value Added Resource. Archived from the original on 2023-03-01. Retrieved 2023-03-01.

[21] "Boys & Girls Clubs of Silicon Valley Names Steve Wymer President and Chief Executive Officer". Boys & Girls Clubs of Silicon Valley. 10 September 2020. Archived from the original on 28 March 2023. Retrieved 28 March 2023.

[22] Howey, Brian; Nguyen, Tran (4 January 2023). "Disgraced eBay exec wielded power at San Jose City Hall". San Jose Spotlight.

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{short description|Scandal involving eBay's leadership}}
 {{Infobox event
+| title = eBay stalking scandal
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+| duration = Launched in January 2019
-| image                    =
+| motive = Deter website authors who wrote negative material about EBay
-| image_upright            =
+| target = Ina and David Steiner of EcommerceBytes
-| image_alt                =
+| arrests = 2
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+| convicted = 7
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-| motive                   = Deter website authors who wrote negative material about EBay
-| target                   = Ina and David Steiner of ECommerceBytes
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 }}
 {{lowercase title}}
-The '''eBay stalking scandal''' was a campaign conducted in 2019 by [[eBay]] and contractors. The scandal involved the aggressive [[stalking]] and harassment of two [[e-commerce]] bloggers, Ina and David Steiner, who wrote frequent commentary about eBay on their website ''EcommerceBytes''.<ref name=nyt>{{cite news |last=Streitfeld |first=David |date=2020-09-26 |title=Inside eBay's Cockroach Cult: The Ghastly Story of a Stalking Scandal |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/26/technology/ebay-cockroaches-stalking-scandal.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=2020-09-26 |archive-date=2020-12-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201213125301/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/26/technology/ebay-cockroaches-stalking-scandal.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Barrett |first=Brian |date=2020-09-26 |title=Former eBay Execs Allegedly Made Life Hell for Critics |url=https://www.wired.com/story/ebay-employees-charged-cyberstalking-harassment-campaign/ |magazine=Wired |access-date=2020-09-26 |archive-date=2020-09-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918153557/https://www.wired.com/story/ebay-employees-charged-cyberstalking-harassment-campaign/ |url-status=live }}</ref>  Seven employees [[pleaded guilty]] to charges involving [[Conspiracy (criminal)|criminal conspiracies]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |date=2020-11-03 |title=2 former eBay employees indicted in harassment campaign |work=Associated Press |url=https://apnews.com/article/boston-massachusetts-20dca56367257d8b972298642c0afb5e |access-date=2021-12-28 |quote=James Baugh, 45, who was eBay’s senior director of safety & security, and David Harville, 48, former director of global resiliency, were indicted on charges including stalking through interstate travel. [...] Five other former employees have pleaded guilty in the case. |archive-date=2021-12-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211228222957/https://apnews.com/article/boston-massachusetts-20dca56367257d8b972298642c0afb5e |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite news |last=Richer |first=Alanna Durkin |date=12 May 2022 |title=Final ex-eBay employee in cyberstalking case pleads guilty |work=[[Associated Press]] |url=https://apnews.com/article/oddities-boston-massachusetts-ebay-inc-c09032e3375056e9fb532bdbf3e3a9f4 |access-date=17 May 2022 |archive-date=17 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220517041941/https://apnews.com/article/oddities-boston-massachusetts-ebay-inc-c09032e3375056e9fb532bdbf3e3a9f4 |url-status=live }}</ref>  The accused employees included two members of eBay’s [[Corporate Executive|executive leadership team]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Durkin Richer |first=Alanna |date=2020-06-15 |title=Feds: eBay staff sent spiders, roaches to harass couple |work=Associated Press |url=https://apnews.com/article/786117108cdfefb40e691b1b3420c689 |access-date=2021-12-28 |archive-date=2022-04-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220430083631/https://apnews.com/article/786117108cdfefb40e691b1b3420c689 |url-status=live }}</ref>
+The '''eBay stalking scandal''' was a campaign conducted in 2019 by [[eBay]] and contractors. The scandal involved the aggressive [[stalking]] and harassment of two [[e-commerce]] bloggers, Ina and David Steiner, who wrote frequent commentary about eBay on their website ''EcommerceBytes''.<ref name=nyt>{{cite news |last=Streitfeld |first=David |date=2020-09-26 |title=Inside eBay's Cockroach Cult: The Ghastly Story of a Stalking Scandal |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/26/technology/ebay-cockroaches-stalking-scandal.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=2020-09-26 |archive-date=2020-12-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201213125301/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/26/technology/ebay-cockroaches-stalking-scandal.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Barrett |first=Brian |date=2020-09-26 |title=Former eBay Execs Allegedly Made Life Hell for Critics |url=https://www.wired.com/story/ebay-employees-charged-cyberstalking-harassment-campaign/ |magazine=Wired |access-date=2020-09-26 |archive-date=2020-09-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918153557/https://www.wired.com/story/ebay-employees-charged-cyberstalking-harassment-campaign/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Seven eBay employees [[pleaded guilty]] to charges involving [[Conspiracy (criminal)|criminal conspiracies]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |date=2020-11-03 |title=2 former eBay employees indicted in harassment campaign |work=Associated Press |url=https://apnews.com/article/boston-massachusetts-20dca56367257d8b972298642c0afb5e |access-date=2021-12-28 |quote=James Baugh, 45, who was eBay’s senior director of safety & security, and David Harville, 48, former director of global resiliency, were indicted on charges including stalking through interstate travel. [...] Five other former employees have pleaded guilty in the case. |archive-date=2021-12-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211228222957/https://apnews.com/article/boston-massachusetts-20dca56367257d8b972298642c0afb5e |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite news |last=Richer |first=Alanna Durkin |date=12 May 2022 |title=Final ex-eBay employee in cyberstalking case pleads guilty |work=[[Associated Press]] |url=https://apnews.com/article/oddities-boston-massachusetts-ebay-inc-c09032e3375056e9fb532bdbf3e3a9f4 |access-date=17 May 2022 |archive-date=17 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220517041941/https://apnews.com/article/oddities-boston-massachusetts-ebay-inc-c09032e3375056e9fb532bdbf3e3a9f4 |url-status=live }}</ref> The seven employees included two senior members of eBay’s corporate security team.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Durkin Richer |first=Alanna |date=2020-06-15 |title=Feds: eBay staff sent spiders, roaches to harass couple |work=Associated Press |url=https://apnews.com/article/786117108cdfefb40e691b1b3420c689 |access-date=2021-12-28 |archive-date=2022-04-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220430083631/https://apnews.com/article/786117108cdfefb40e691b1b3420c689 |url-status=live }}</ref> Two members of eBay's Executive Leadership Team who were implicated in the scandal were not charged.<ref name="nyt" />
 ==Background==
 === ''EcommerceBytes'' ===
-''EcommerceBytes'' is an online newsletter and [[e-commerce]] trade publication founded in 1999, four years after [[eBay]] was founded. Initially called ''AuctionBytes'', the website offered advice to buyers in the early days of internet commerce. In the years after its founding, the website became a resource for sellers on a number of platforms, from [[Etsy]] to [[Amazon (company)|Amazon]], a kind of trade publication for anyone whose business is selling items online. It is read primarily by sellers, but also by some corporate staff, including some who posted comments on their website.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|last=Damiano|first=Mike|date=2 December 2021|title="Take Her Down": Inside eBay's Stalking Campaign against a Natick Couple|work=[[Boston Magazine]]|url=https://www.bostonmagazine.com/news/2021/12/02/ebay-ecommercebytes-stalking/|access-date=2021-12-28|archive-date=2021-12-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211228214914/https://www.bostonmagazine.com/news/2021/12/02/ebay-ecommercebytes-stalking/|url-status=live}}</ref> The website not only offers advice, but also critiques of the corporate and policy changes at eBay and other e-commerce platforms.<ref name=":0" />  For example, in April 2019, Ina Steiner reported there that eBay's then-CEO [[Devin Wenig]] was [[Income inequality metrics#Galt score|paid 152 times more than the typical eBay employee]].<ref name=":0" />
+''EcommerceBytes'' is an online newsletter and [[e-commerce]] trade publication founded in 1999, four years after [[eBay]] was founded. Initially called ''AuctionBytes'', the website offered advice to buyers in the early days of internet commerce. In the years after its founding, the website became a resource for sellers on a number of platforms, from [[Etsy]] to [[Amazon (company)|Amazon]], a kind of trade publication for anyone whose business is selling items online. It is read primarily by sellers, but also by some corporate staff, including some who posted comments on their website.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|last=Damiano|first=Mike|date=2 December 2021|title="Take Her Down": Inside eBay's Stalking Campaign against a Natick Couple|work=[[Boston Magazine]]|url=https://www.bostonmagazine.com/news/2021/12/02/ebay-ecommercebytes-stalking/|access-date=2021-12-28|archive-date=2021-12-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211228214914/https://www.bostonmagazine.com/news/2021/12/02/ebay-ecommercebytes-stalking/|url-status=live}}</ref> The website not only offers advice, but also critiques of the corporate and policy changes at eBay and other e-commerce platforms.<ref name=":0" /> For example, in April 2019, Ina Steiner reported there that eBay's then-CEO [[Devin Wenig]] was [[Income inequality metrics#Galt score|paid 152 times more than the typical eBay employee]].<ref name=":0" />
 === Activist investor requests changes ===
@@ Line 72: / Line 21: @@
 == Stalking and harassment ==
-Members of eBay's executive leadership had long been bothered by the couple's posts. Under pressure in early 2019 to enhance performance, the company felt a new sense of urgency.  For example, in April 2019, Wenig sent the post about how outsized his compensation was compared to typical employees to eBay’s [[chief communications officer]] at the time, Steve Wymer.<ref name=":0"/>  Wymer replied that eBay was "going to crush this lady."<ref name=":0"/> Wenig texted Wymer weeks later: "Take her down."<ref name=":0"/>  Wymer took their concerns to the head of eBay's security division, Jim Baugh, whose team began harassing the Steiners at home and online.<ref name=":0"/> Wymer texted Baugh that Ina Steiner was a "biased troll who needs to be BURNED DOWN;" that he wants "to see ashes;" and that Baugh should do "whatever it takes."<ref>{{Cite web |title=SanJoseSpotlight |url=https://sanjosespotlight.com/silicon-valley-elite-defend-nonprofit-ceo-with-dark-past/ |url-status=live |access-date=2023-02-23 |archive-date=2023-02-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230223223459/https://sanjosespotlight.com/silicon-valley-elite-defend-nonprofit-ceo-with-dark-past/ }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Forbes |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/robertamatuson/2020/09/29/creating-a-corporate-culture-of-crime-and-espionage/?sh=2676c5496432 |access-date=2023-02-23 |archive-date=2023-02-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230223223459/https://www.forbes.com/sites/robertamatuson/2020/09/29/creating-a-corporate-culture-of-crime-and-espionage/?sh=2676c5496432 |url-status=live }}</ref>
+Members of eBay's executive leadership had long been bothered by the couple's posts. Under pressure in early 2019 to enhance performance, the company felt a new sense of urgency. For example, in April 2019, eBay’s [[chief communications officer]] at the time, Steve Wymer sent Wenig a post about how outsized Wenig's compensation was compared to typical employees, adding "we are going to crush this lady." One month later Wenig texted Wymer "Take her down."<ref name=":0"/> Wymer allegedly took the concerns to the head of eBay's security division, Jim Baugh, whose team began harassing the Steiners at home and online.<ref name=":0"/> Wymer texted Baugh that Ina Steiner was a "biased troll who needs to be BURNED DOWN"; that he wanted "to see ashes"; and that Baugh should do "whatever it takes."<ref>{{Cite web |title=SanJoseSpotlight |date=5 December 2022 |url=https://sanjosespotlight.com/silicon-valley-elite-defend-nonprofit-ceo-with-dark-past/ |url-status=live |access-date=2023-02-23 |archive-date=2023-02-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230223223459/https://sanjosespotlight.com/silicon-valley-elite-defend-nonprofit-ceo-with-dark-past/ }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Forbes | website=[[Forbes]] |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/robertamatuson/2020/09/29/creating-a-corporate-culture-of-crime-and-espionage/?sh=2676c5496432 |access-date=2023-02-23 |archive-date=2023-02-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230223223459/https://www.forbes.com/sites/robertamatuson/2020/09/29/creating-a-corporate-culture-of-crime-and-espionage/?sh=2676c5496432 |url-status=live }}</ref>
 The Steiners were harassed and threatened both online and physically in their home by deliveries of such things as a bloody pig mask, live cockroaches and spiders, a funeral wreath, and large orders of pizza.<ref name=":1"/><ref name="nyt" /><ref name=":0"/> Pornographic magazines with David Steiner’s name on them were sent to a neighbor’s house.<ref name=":1"/><ref name="nyt" /><ref name=":0"/>
@@ Line 78: / Line 27: @@
 Employees flew from California to Boston so they could vandalize the couple's [[Natick, Massachusetts]] home as well as stalk their personal vehicle.<ref name="nyt" /><ref name=":0"/> Plans were even made to break into the couple's garage and place a GPS tracker on their car.<ref name="nyt" />
-''EcommerceBytes'' was not the only source of criticism; Wenig was also concerned about a Twitter account named Fidomaster.<ref name="nyt" /><ref name=":0" />  (The Steiners had no connection to or knowledge of this Twitter user.<ref name=":0" />)
+''EcommerceBytes'' was not the only source of criticism; Wenig was also concerned about an anonymous persona named Fidomaster (also known as Dan Davis and unsuckEBAY) who frequently commented about eBay on Twitter, EcommerceBytes, and other online forums.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |date=28 February 2023 |title=Inside The eBay Cyberstalking Scandal: Battle For Justice Rages On |url=https://www.valueaddedresource.net/ebay-cyberstalking-scandal-fight-for-justice-rages-on/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701154122/https://www.valueaddedresource.net/ebay-cyberstalking-scandal-fight-for-justice-rages-on/ |archive-date=1 July 2023 |website=Value Added Resource}}</ref>
+The stalking and harassment campaign was designed to intimidate EcommerceBytes into changing their coverage of eBay, culminating in the "White Knight Strategy" which enlisted Brian Gilbert to pretend to come to the Steiners' aid in his official eBay capacity as an attempt to win goodwill and gain their help in unmasking the person behind the Fidomaster/unsuckEBAY account. <ref>{{Cite web |date=27 March 2023 |title=eBay Cyberstalking: A Threat To Free Speech & First Amendment Values |url=https://www.valueaddedresource.net/ebay-cyberstalking-threat-to-free-speech-first-amendment-values/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327235321/https://www.valueaddedresource.net/ebay-cyberstalking-threat-to-free-speech-first-amendment-values/ |archive-date=27 March 2023 |website=Value Added Resource}}</ref>
-== Criminal Charges ==
+== Criminal charges ==
 {{quote box
- | align    = right | width    = 33% | border   = 2px | fontsize = 90% | bgcolor  = #CCDDFF
+| align = right
+| width = 33%
+| border = 2px
+| fontsize = 91%
+| bgcolor = #CCDDFF
- | quote = "This was a determined, systematic effort by senior employees of a major company to destroy the lives of a couple in Natick all because they published content that company executives didn’t like. For a while they succeeded, psychologically devastating these victims for weeks as they desperately tried to figure out what was going on and stop it."
+| quote = "This was a determined, systematic effort by senior employees of a major company to destroy the lives of a couple in Natick all because they published content that company executives didn’t like. For a while they succeeded, psychologically devastating these victims for weeks as they desperately tried to figure out what was going on and stop it."
- | source   = Massachusetts US attorney, [[Andrew Lelling]]}}
+| source = Massachusetts US attorney [[Andrew Lelling]]
+}}
 In June 2020, the U.S. Department of Justice charged six former eBay employees and contractors with [[Conspiracy (criminal)|conspiracy]] to commit [[Cyberstalking legislation|cyberstalking]] and conspiracy to [[Witness tampering|tamper with witnesses]];<ref name="nyt" /> a seventh former employee was charged in July.<ref>{{cite news |last=Herrera |first=Sebastian |date=2020-06-15 |title=Justice Department Charges Former eBay Staff With 'Cyberstalking Campaign' |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/justice-department-charges-former-ebay-employees-with-cyberstalking-campaign-11592241507 |work=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=2020-09-27 |archive-date=2020-09-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920001959/https://www.wsj.com/articles/justice-department-charges-former-ebay-employees-with-cyberstalking-campaign-11592241507 |url-status=live }}</ref>
 Two former employees were charged and arrested.<ref name=":1"/> They are:<ref name=nyt/>
-* James Baugh of San Jose, California. He was eBay's Senior Director of Safety & Security.  Baugh pleaded guilty in April 2022.<ref name=":5" /> In September 2022, Baugh was sentenced to 57 months in prison.<ref name="DOJ">{{Cite web |date=October 11, 2022 |title=Two Former eBay Employees Sentenced for Aggressive Cyberstalking Campaign |url=https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/two-former-ebay-employees-sentenced-aggressive-cyberstalking-campaign#:~:text=On%20Sept.,Also%20on%20Sept. |url-status=live |access-date=February 24, 2023 |archive-date=February 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230224004355/https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/two-former-ebay-employees-sentenced-aggressive-cyberstalking-campaign#:~:text=On%20Sept.,Also%20on%20Sept. }}</ref>
+* James Baugh of San Jose, California. He was eBay's Senior Director of Safety & Security. Baugh pleaded guilty in April 2022.<ref name=":5" /> In September 2022, Baugh was sentenced to 57 months in prison.<ref name="DOJ">{{Cite web |date=October 11, 2022 |title=Two Former eBay Employees Sentenced for Aggressive Cyberstalking Campaign |url=https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/two-former-ebay-employees-sentenced-aggressive-cyberstalking-campaign#:~:text=On%20Sept.,Also%20on%20Sept. |url-status=live |access-date=February 24, 2023 |archive-date=February 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230224004355/https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/two-former-ebay-employees-sentenced-aggressive-cyberstalking-campaign#:~:text=On%20Sept.,Also%20on%20Sept. }}</ref>
 * David Harville of New York City. He was eBay's former Director of Global Resiliency. Harville pleaded guilty to his participation in the harassment in May 2022. In September 2022 Harville was sentenced to 24 months in prison.<ref name="DOJ" />
-Five former employees were charged but not arrested. Each of these individuals was charged with conspiracy to commit cyberstalking and conspiracy to tamper with witnesses.  All of them pleaded guilty to the charges.<ref name=":2"/>  They are:<ref name=nyt/>
+Five former employees were charged but not arrested. Each of these individuals was charged with conspiracy to commit cyberstalking and conspiracy to tamper with witnesses. All of them pleaded guilty to the charges.<ref name=":2"/> They are:<ref name=nyt/>
+* Stephanie Popp of San Jose, California. She was formerly eBay's Senior Manager of Global Intelligence. She pleaded guilty in October 2020.<ref name=":3">{{Cite press release|title=Two Former Ebay Employees Plead Guilty to Aggressive Cyberstalking Campaign Targeting Natick Couple|publisher=[[U.S. Department of Justice]], [[U.S. Attorney’s Office]], District of Massachusetts|date=2020-10-08|url=https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/two-former-ebay-employees-plead-guilty-aggressive-cyberstalking-campaign-targeting-natick|access-date=2021-12-28|archive-date=2021-12-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211228222957/https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/two-former-ebay-employees-plead-guilty-aggressive-cyberstalking-campaign-targeting-natick|url-status=live}}</ref> In October of 2022, Popp was sentenced to 13 months in prison.<ref name="DOJ" />
+* Stephanie Stockwell of Redwood City, California. She was formerly the manager of eBay's Global Intelligence Center (GIC). She pleaded guilty in October 2020.<ref name=":4">{{Cite press release|title=Two Former eBay Employees Plead Guilty to Aggressive Cyberstalking Campaign Targeting Natick Couple|url=https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/two-former-ebay-employees-plead-guilty-aggressive-cyberstalking-campaign-targeting-nati-0|date=29 October 2020|publisher=[[U.S. Department of Justice]], [[U.S. Attorney’s Office]], District of Massachusetts|access-date=28 December 2021|archive-date=28 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211228223008/https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/two-former-ebay-employees-plead-guilty-aggressive-cyberstalking-campaign-targeting-nati-0|url-status=live}}</ref> In October 2022 Stockwell was sentenced to 24 months of probation.<ref name="DOJ" />
+* Veronica Zea of San Jose, California. She had served as an eBay [[Independent contracting in the United States|contractor]] working as an intelligence analyst in the GIC. She pleaded guilty in October 2020.<ref name=":3"/>
+* Brian Gilbert of San Jose, California. A former [[police captain]],<ref name=":0"/> he had been a Senior Manager of Special Operations for eBay's Global Security Team. He [[pleaded guilty]] to conspiring to commit cyberstalking and conspiring to tamper with a witness in October 2020.<ref name=":0"/><ref name=":4"/>
+* Philip Cooke of San Jose, California. He was charged in July 2020, in distinction to the others, who were all charged on June 15, 2020.<ref name=nyt/> He was a supervisor of security operations. Cooke had formerly worked as a police captain in Santa Clara.<ref name=":0"/><ref>{{cite news |date=July 7, 2020 |title=Former eBay Staffer & Santa Clara Police Captain Charged With Harassing Newsletter Editor |work=CBS SF Bay Area |url=https://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2020/07/07/ebay-newsletter-harassment-campaign-7th-employee-former-santa-clara-pd-charged/ |url-status=live |accessdate=September 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927030737/https://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2020/07/07/ebay-newsletter-harassment-campaign-7th-employee-former-santa-clara-pd-charged/ |archive-date=September 27, 2020}}</ref> He pleaded guilty in October 2020<ref name=":4"/> and was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison,<ref name=":0"/> followed by 3 years of supervised release (including 12 months of house arrest),<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/former-ebay-employee-sentenced-role-aggressive-cyberstalking-campaign | title=Former eBay Employee Sentenced for Role in Aggressive Cyberstalking Campaign | date=27 July 2021 | access-date=3 August 2021 | archive-date=3 August 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210803171304/https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/former-ebay-employee-sentenced-role-aggressive-cyberstalking-campaign | url-status=live }}</ref> on July 27, 2021.
+On January 11, 2024, eBay agreed to pay a $3 million fine as part of a deferred prosecution.<ref>{{cite news | title=Justice Department charges eBay over employees who sent live spiders and cockroaches to Natick couple; company to pay $3 million | date=January 11, 2014 | publisher=[[The Boston Globe]] | url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/01/11/business/ebay-criminal-charges-natick-couple/ }}</ref>
-* Stephanie Popp of San Jose, California. She was formerly eBay's Senior Manager of Global Intelligence.  She pleaded guilty in October 2020.<ref name=":3">{{Cite press release|title=Two Former Ebay Employees Plead Guilty to Aggressive Cyberstalking Campaign Targeting Natick Couple|publisher=[[U.S. Department of Justice]], [[U.S. Attorney’s Office]], District of Massachusetts|date=2020-10-08|url=https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/two-former-ebay-employees-plead-guilty-aggressive-cyberstalking-campaign-targeting-natick|access-date=2021-12-28|archive-date=2021-12-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211228222957/https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/two-former-ebay-employees-plead-guilty-aggressive-cyberstalking-campaign-targeting-natick|url-status=live}}</ref> In October of 2022, Popp was sentenced to 13 months in prison.<ref name="DOJ" />
-* Stephanie Stockwell of Redwood City, California. She was formerly the manager of eBay's Global Intelligence Center (GIC).  She pleaded guilty in October 2020.<ref name=":4">{{Cite press release|title=Two Former eBay Employees Plead Guilty to Aggressive Cyberstalking Campaign Targeting Natick Couple|url=https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/two-former-ebay-employees-plead-guilty-aggressive-cyberstalking-campaign-targeting-nati-0|date=29 October 2020|publisher=[[U.S. Department of Justice]], [[U.S. Attorney’s Office]], District of Massachusetts|access-date=28 December 2021|archive-date=28 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211228223008/https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/two-former-ebay-employees-plead-guilty-aggressive-cyberstalking-campaign-targeting-nati-0|url-status=live}}</ref> In October 2022 Stockwell was sentenced to 24 months of probation.<ref name="DOJ" />
-* Veronica Zea of San Jose, California. She had served as an eBay [[Independent contracting in the United States|contractor]] working as an intelligence analyst in the GIC.  She pleaded guilty in October 2020.<ref name=":3"/>
-* Brian Gilbert of San Jose, California. A former [[police captain]],<ref name=":0"/> he had been a Senior Manager of Special Operations for eBay's Global Security Team.  He [[pleaded guilty]] to conspiring to commit cyberstalking and conspiring to tamper with a witness in October 2020.<ref name=":0"/><ref name=":4"/>
-* Philip Cooke of San Jose, California. He was charged in July 2020, in distinction to the others, who were all charged on June 15, 2020.<ref name=nyt/> He was a supervisor of security operations. Cooke had formerly worked as a police captain in Santa Clara.<ref name=":0"/><ref>{{cite news |title=Former eBay Staffer & Santa Clara Police Captain Charged With Harassing Newsletter Editor |url=https://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2020/07/07/ebay-newsletter-harassment-campaign-7th-employee-former-santa-clara-pd-charged/ |accessdate=September 29, 2020 |publisher=CBS SF Bay |date=July 7, 2020 |archive-date=September 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927030737/https://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2020/07/07/ebay-newsletter-harassment-campaign-7th-employee-former-santa-clara-pd-charged/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He pleaded guilty in October 2020<ref name=":4"/> and was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison,<ref name=":0"/> followed by 3 years of supervised release (including 12 months of house arrest),<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/former-ebay-employee-sentenced-role-aggressive-cyberstalking-campaign | title=Former eBay Employee Sentenced for Role in Aggressive Cyberstalking Campaign | date=27 July 2021 | access-date=3 August 2021 | archive-date=3 August 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210803171304/https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/former-ebay-employee-sentenced-role-aggressive-cyberstalking-campaign | url-status=live }}</ref> on July 27, 2021.
 == Civil lawsuit ==
-In July 2021, Ina and David Steiner filed suit against eBay Inc.; former CEO Davin Wenig; former Chief Communications Officer, Steve Wymer; the seven defendants in the criminal case and Progressive F.O.R.C.E Concepts (PFC), an independent security firm.<ref name="ARS">{{Cite web |date=21 July 2021 |title=Lawsuit: eBay tried to “terrorize, stalk, and silence” couple that ran news site |url=https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2021/07/lawsuit-ebay-tried-to-terrorize-stalk-and-silence-couple-that-ran-news-site/ |url-status=live |access-date=1 March 2023 |website=ArsTechnica |archive-date=1 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230301213658/https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2021/07/lawsuit-ebay-tried-to-terrorize-stalk-and-silence-couple-that-ran-news-site/ }}</ref>
+In July 2021, Ina and David Steiner filed suit against eBay Inc.; former CEO Davin Wenig; former Chief Communications Officer Steve Wymer; the seven defendants in the criminal case; and Progressive F.O.R.C.E Concepts (PFC), an independent security firm.<ref name="ARS">{{Cite web |date=21 July 2021 |title=Lawsuit: eBay tried to "terrorize, stalk, and silence" couple that ran news site |url=https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2021/07/lawsuit-ebay-tried-to-terrorize-stalk-and-silence-couple-that-ran-news-site/ |url-status=live |access-date=1 March 2023 |website=ArsTechnica |archive-date=1 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230301213658/https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2021/07/lawsuit-ebay-tried-to-terrorize-stalk-and-silence-couple-that-ran-news-site/ }}</ref> eBay's former SVP Global Operations Wendy Jones and Progressive F.O.R.C.E Concepts' CEO Steve Krystek were also added to an amended version of the complaint on March 1, 2023.<ref name=":6" />
-The lawsuit claims that Wenig and Wymer "provided the other Defendants with carte blanche authority to terminate the reporting of the Steiners by whatever means necessary, with Defendant Wymer expressing '... I want to see ashes. As long as it takes. Whatever it takes.' Defendant Wymer promised the defendants he would 'embrace managing any bad fallout' if the plan went south, further directing, 'We need to STOP her.' All of the horrific, vicious and sickening conduct that followed was committed by employees of eBay and PFC, while acting in the scope of their employment under the authority of and for the benefit of eBay and PFC."<ref name="ARS" />
+The lawsuit claims that Wenig and Wymer "provided the other Defendants with carte blanche authority to terminate the reporting of the Steiners by whatever means necessary, with Defendant Wymer expressing '... I want to see ashes. As long as it takes. Whatever it takes.' Defendant Wymer promised the defendants he would 'embrace managing any bad fallout' if the plan went south, further directing, 'We need to STOP her.' The lawsuit further claims that "All of the horrific, vicious and sickening conduct that followed was committed by employees of eBay and PFC, while acting in the scope of their employment under the authority of and for the benefit of eBay and PFC."<ref name="ARS" />
 == Internal corporate investigation ==
-After being contacted by law enforcement, eBay hired a law firm to investigate the harassment.<ref name=":0" />  The investigation concluded in September 2019, and all of the people charged with crimes plus the chief communications officer Steve Wymer were fired.<ref name=":0" />  The investigation found that neither Wenig nor Wymer "directed or knew that criminal acts would follow."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-12-07 |title=eBay Sued By Insurance In Cyberstalking Case, Exec Political Ties Revealed |url=https://www.valueaddedresource.net/ebay-insurance-cyberstalking-wymer-political-ties/ |access-date=2023-03-01 |website=Value Added Resource |language=en |archive-date=2023-03-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230301012243/https://www.valueaddedresource.net/ebay-insurance-cyberstalking-wymer-political-ties/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Wymer was hired the next year as the head of a local branch of the [[Boys & Girls Clubs of America]], a children's charity that knew about Wymer's involvement in the harassment scandal.<ref name=":0" /><ref>https://www.bgclub.org/news/boys-girls-clubs-of-silicon-valley-names-steve-wymer-president-and-chief-executive-officer/</ref><ref>https://sanjosespotlight.com/disgraced-ebay-exec-wielded-power-at-san-jose-city-hall/</ref>
+After being contacted by law enforcement, eBay hired a law firm to investigate the harassment.<ref name=":0" /> The investigation concluded in September 2019, and all of the people charged with crimes plus the chief communications officer Steve Wymer were fired.<ref name=":0" /> The investigation found that neither Wenig nor Wymer "directed or knew that criminal acts would follow."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Morton |first=Liz |date=2022-12-07 |title=eBay Sued By Insurance In Cyberstalking Case, Exec Political Ties Revealed |url=https://www.valueaddedresource.net/ebay-insurance-cyberstalking-wymer-political-ties/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230301012243/https://www.valueaddedresource.net/ebay-insurance-cyberstalking-wymer-political-ties/ |archive-date=2023-03-01 |access-date=2023-03-01 |website=Value Added Resource |language=en}}</ref> Wymer was hired the next year as the head of a local branch of the [[Boys & Girls Clubs of America]], a children's charity that knew about Wymer's involvement in the harassment scandal.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{cite web |date=10 September 2020 |title=Boys & Girls Clubs of Silicon Valley Names Steve Wymer President and Chief Executive Officer |url=https://www.bgclub.org/news/boys-girls-clubs-of-silicon-valley-names-steve-wymer-president-and-chief-executive-officer/ |website=Boys & Girls Clubs of Silicon Valley |access-date=28 March 2023 |archive-date=28 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230328010645/https://www.bgclub.org/news/boys-girls-clubs-of-silicon-valley-names-steve-wymer-president-and-chief-executive-officer/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Howey |first=Brian |last2=Nguyen |first2=Tran |date=4 January 2023 |title=Disgraced eBay exec wielded power at San Jose City Hall |url=https://sanjosespotlight.com/disgraced-ebay-exec-wielded-power-at-san-jose-city-hall/ |website=San Jose Spotlight}}</ref>
-The CEO Wenig's messages were deemed "inappropriate" by eBay, but eBay's internal investigation concluded that the CEO did not know about the stalking and harassment activities.<ref name=":0" />  Wenig left eBay in September 2019, with a US$57&nbsp;million [[severance package]].<ref name=":0" />  After the harassment scandal became news, Wenig was re-elected to the board of [[General Motors]].<ref name=":0" />
+The CEO Wenig's messages were deemed "inappropriate" by eBay, but eBay's internal investigation concluded that the CEO did not know about the stalking and harassment activities.<ref name=":0" /> Wenig left eBay in September 2019, with a US$57&nbsp;million [[severance package]].<ref name=":0" /> After the harassment scandal became news, Wenig was re-elected to the board of [[General Motors]].<ref name=":0" />
 ==References==
@@ Line 118: / Line 77: @@
 [[Category:Corporate crime]]
 [[Category:2019 scandals]]
+[[Category:EBay]]