Online Retailer eBay is Criminally Charged and Will Pay $3M Over Employees Who Sent Couple Live Spiders and Cockroaches – Breaking911
BOSTON – eBay Inc. has agreed to pay a $3 million criminal penalty for engaging in a harassment and intimidation campaign against a Massachusetts couple. The retaliation was a result of the couple’s online coverage of eBay and eBay’s subsequent obstruction of the investigation. The company has been charged with two counts of stalking through interstate travel, two counts of stalking through electronic communications services, one count of witness tampering, and one count of obstruction of justice.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy commented on eBay’s conduct, stating, eBay engaged in absolutely horrific, criminal conduct. He emphasized the psychological and emotional toll the campaign had on the victims and expressed the government’s commitment to holding accountable every individual involved. The investigation resulted in felony convictions for seven individuals, all former eBay employees or contractors.
As part of the resolution, eBay will also be required to retain an independent corporate compliance monitor for three years and make significant improvements to its compliance program. This monitoring will ensure that eBay’s senior leadership prioritizes compliance with the law, implements safeguards to prevent future criminal activity, and establishes a zero-tolerance policy regarding terrorizing innocent individuals and obstructing investigations.
Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Boston Division, highlighted the importance of the settlement in holding eBay responsible for its actions and implementing measures to prevent a recurrence of this behavior. Cohen noted that no one should ever feel unsafe in their own home and expressed hopes that this settlement will serve as a deterrent for similar conduct in the future.
According to eBay’s admissions, the harassment campaign took place between August 5 and August 23, 2019. The company’s former Senior Director of Safety and Security, Jim Baugh, and six other members of eBay’s security team specifically targeted the victims due to their involvement in a newsletter that reported on eBay sellers’ issues. The campaign involved sending disturbing deliveries to the victims’ home, including live insects, posting threatening messages on social media, and traveling to the victims’ residence to surveil them.
The victims detected the surveillance and immediately contacted the local police, prompting an investigation. Baugh then made false statements to the police and internal investigators while deleting digital evidence related to the cyberstalking campaign. Thanks to the diligent work of law enforcement, the seven individuals involved in the campaign were held accountable for their actions.
eBay’s agreement to pay the $3 million penalty signifies the recognition of their corporate culture’s role in fostering a stalking campaign. The company’s commitment to change is evident through the implementation of a corporate compliance monitor, improved compliance program, and the punishment of those involved.
Today’s settlement serves as a reminder that online harassment and intimidation will not be tolerated. It sends a clear message to companies and individuals that engaging in such behavior will result in severe consequences. The hope is that this case will contribute to a safer online environment and prevent others from perpetuating similar acts of harassment and intimidation.
As the crackdown on cyberstalking continues, law enforcement agencies are committed to protecting individuals from online abuse and holding perpetrators accountable.
