eBay has been awarded $3 million in criminal charges over several former employees sending cockroaches, spiders and pig fetuses to a Massachusetts couple who wrote a newsletter critical of the company in 2019. reported that they plan to pay. NBC News.
The online retail and auction giant was charged with two counts of stalking through interstate travel, two counts of stalking by electronic communication service, witness tampering and obstruction of justice, according to a statement released by police. United States Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts.
As a result, eBay agreed to pay the maximum penalty for six felonies. The company will reportedly need to hire an independent corporate compliance monitor for three years and make significant changes to its compliance program.
“eBay engaged in absolutely horrifying criminal behavior. The company's employees and contractors involved in this campaign committed a chilling campaign aimed at silencing the press and protecting the eBay brand. He put his victims through utter hell,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy.
“We were committed to our mission of holding accountable all those who turned victims' worlds upside down through a never-ending nightmare of intimidation and criminal acts. As a result of our investigation, we have found that no former eBay employee or contractor Seven contractors were convicted of felonies, and the ringleader was sentenced to 57 months in federal prison.
“Today's criminal settlement with the company imposes the maximum penalty under the law and holds eBay accountable for the corporate culture that led to this unprecedented stalking incident,” Levy continued.
“Corporate oversight of eBay will be in place for the next three years, with eBay's senior leadership committed to prioritizing compliance with the law, implementing safeguards to prevent future criminal activity, and ensuring all eBay employees: The idea of terrorizing innocent people and obstructing investigations is unacceptable. ”
E-bay issued a statement “The company's actions in 2019 were wrong and reprehensible,” eBay CEO Jamie Iannone wrote on Thursday.
“From the moment eBay first learned of the events in 2019, eBay cooperated fully and extensively with law enforcement. We remain deeply sorry for what the Steiners endured. Since these events occurred, new leadership has joined the company and eBay has strengthened its policies, procedures, controls and training. eBay continues to uphold high standards of conduct and ethics and is committed to making the right relationship with the Steiner family. I will do my best to do so.”
NBC News reports that from August 5, 2019 to August 23, 2019, eBay's former senior director of safety and security and six other members of his team targeted victims in Natick. admitted that he had done so.
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