As reported by boston globe (opens in new tab) (Readers may run into a paywall.) James Baugh, the former head of safety and security at eBay, announced yesterday that he’s almost five years old for running a bizarre harassment campaign against bloggers David and Ina Steiner. was sentenced to imprisonment. Baugh is one of seven former eBay executives and high-level employees who have pleaded guilty in this matter.
I mostly understand that eBay is a place where you can get cheap used PC parts (by the way, buyer beware). (opens in new tab)) or even a ridiculously overpriced collectible big box (opens in new tab)In a truly innocent era, the queer Al Yankovic graced the digital marketplace with one of those his favorite parody song (opens in new tab)In that case, it’s a little shocking to read about a genuinely gangster intimidation campaign masterminded by an executive-level employee.
Steiners, who publishes a newsletter focused on online shopping, e-commerce bytes (opens in new tab)published a series of articles critical of eBay in 2019. Baugh and his fellow eBay employees continued to retaliate in response to demands from more senior executives, including then-CEO Devin Wenig. I got
according to Guardian (opens in new tab), Steiner was sent threatening items such as a box of insects, a bloody Halloween pig mask, and a funeral wreath. The eBay team has also harassed Mr. and Mrs. Steiner on Sock Doll’s social media accounts, sent pornography directed at David Steiner to the couple’s neighbors, and even exposed the couple by promoting fake yard sales and more. Did.
In my view, the pinnacle of absurdity was Baugh and eBay’s former global resilience director David Harville (who pleaded guilty in May). (opens in new tab)) is said to have flew across the country to the Steiner family mansion near Boston. According to prosecutors, Beau and Harville tried to install her GPS tracking device in the couple’s car but was blocked by a locked garage door.
Baugh claims to have been instructed by top eBay executives, including former CEO Wenig. NPR (opens in new tab) Wenig reports that he sent a message to a fellow executive about one of Ina Steiner’s articles.
Wenig has not faced criminal charges in connection with this harassment campaign, but is facing civil lawsuits from the couple. Wenig resigned in 2019 and she claims she knew nothing about her conspiracy.
James Baugh appears to be eBay’s most senior employee facing serious consequences in connection with this lawsuit. September 28 Ina Steiner Post published (opens in new tab) Addressing the situation at EcommerceBytes, she made it clear that she believed more senior management should be held accountable, as was the company itself.
“Last year, David and I filed a RICO civil lawsuit against those believed to be responsible for criminal activity, including former eBay CEO Devin Wenig, CCO Steve Wymer, and eBay itself. ‘ writes Steiner. “It was a difficult decision, but we firmly believe it was the right one.”
