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Feds Charge EBay Over Employees Who Sent Live Spiders And Cockroaches To Couple; Company To Pay $3M

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Boston — According to court documents released Thursday, online retailer eBay Inc. will pay a $3 million fine to settle criminal charges stemming from a harassment campaign undertaken by employees who sent live spiders, cockroaches, and other frightening items to the home of a Massachusetts couple.

More than three years after eBay employees were implicated in the massive plan to intimidate David and Ina Steiner, the Justice Department charged the company with stalking, witness tampering, and obstruction of justice. The couple created an online newsletter called EcommerceBytes, which outraged eBay executives with its content.

According to the United States Attorney’s Office in Massachusetts, eBay, headquartered in California, has engaged in a deferred prosecution agreement that might result in dismissed accusations against the business, provided certain conditions are met.

“eBay participated in awful criminal behaviour. The company’s employees and contractors involved in this effort subjected the victims to absolute hell, in a terrifying campaign geared at silencing their reports and safeguarding the eBay brand,” acting Massachusetts U.S. Attorney Josh Levy said in an emailed statement.

ebay

Feds Charge EBay Over Employees Who Sent Live Spiders And Cockroaches To Couple; Company To Pay $3M

According to the deferred prosecution agreement, eBay took responsibility for harassing and intimidating employees and hindering the government inquiry. The deal requires an independent monitor to oversee the corporation for three years to ensure it complies with the conditions and federal laws. The $3 million felony fine was the highest possible under the allegations.

On Thursday, the Associated Press emailed eBay asking for a response. An email was also forwarded to a spokeswoman for Devin Wenig, the company’s CEO at the time the employees targeted the Steiners.

The pair, who functioned as the newsletter’s publisher and editor, sued eBay in federal court, claiming that cyberstalking and unexpected deliveries of anonymously supplied gifts upended their lives.

Ina Steiner received harassing and occasionally threatening Twitter messages, as well as dozens of weird emails from organizations such as the irritable bowel syndrome patient support group and the Communist Party of the United States.

In addition to a box of real spiders and cockroaches, the couple received a funeral wreath, a gory pig mask, and a book about surviving the death of a spouse. Their home address and invitations to yard sales and parties were also publicized online.

ebay

Feds Charge EBay Over Employees Who Sent Live Spiders And Cockroaches To Couple; Company To Pay $3M

In a statement posted on their website Thursday, the Steiners stated that eBay’s actions had “a damaging and permanent impact” on them “emotionally, psychologically, physically, reputationally, and financially.” They were also frustrated that more executives had not been charged.

“We strongly pushed federal prosecutors for further indictments to deter corporate executives and board members from creating a culture where stalking and harassment is tolerated or encouraged,” the lawyers added.

According to court filings, the harassment began in 2019 when Ina Steiner reported on an eBay complaint accusing Amazon of stealing its merchants.

According to court filings, a half-hour after the piece was published, then-CEO Wenig emailed another top executive a message saying: “If you are ever going to take her down… now is the time,” The executive forwarded Wenig’s message to James Baugh, eBay’s senior director of safety and security, and labelled Ina Steiner a “biased troll who needs to get BURNED DOWN.”

Baugh was one of seven former employees who eventually pled guilty to charges in the case. He was convicted in 2022 and sentenced to nearly five years in prison. Another former executive, David Harville, received a two-year term.

ebay

Feds Charge EBay Over Employees Who Sent Live Spiders And Cockroaches To Couple; Company To Pay $3M

Wenig, who resigned as CEO in 2019, was not charged criminally in the case and has denied any knowledge of the harassment campaign or ever advising anyone to do anything illegal. In the civil lawsuit, his lawyers claimed that the “take her down” comment was taken out of context and that the reasonable inference should have been that he was referring to “lawful action,” not “a series of bizarre criminal acts.”

Baugh, whom prosecutors characterized as the scheme’s mastermind, allegedly invited Harville to accompany him to Boston to spy on the Steiners. According to prosecutors, Baugh, Harville, and another eBay employee went to the couple’s house to place a GPS tracker on their car. According to authorities, Harville purchased tools to break into the garage once the trio discovered it was locked.

Harville’s attorneys claim he had no role in or knowledge of his coworkers’ threatening communications or deliveries.

According to Baugh’s attorneys, Wenig and other executives relentlessly pressured their client to take action against the Steelers. Baugh claimed he was subsequently pushed out of the company after “an army of outside lawyers descended to conduct a ‘internal investigation’ aimed at saving the company and its top executives from prosecution.”

SOURCE – (AP)

Kiara Grace is a staff writer at VORNews, a reputable online publication. Her writing focuses on technology trends, particularly in the realm of consumer electronics and software. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for breaking down complex topics. Kiara delivers insightful analyses that resonate with tech enthusiasts and casual readers alike. Her articles strike a balance between in-depth coverage and accessibility, making them a go-to resource for anyone seeking to stay informed about the latest innovations shaping our digital world.

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Sonic the Hedgehog Dominates Christmas Wish Lists

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Sonic the Hedgehog
Sonic the Hedgehog Merchandise are hot Christmas Items

Sonic the Hedgehog is dominating Christmas wish lists this year. The lovable blue hedgehog is back in the spotlight, from sonic the hedgehog toys and games to sonic the hedgehog coloring pages and movie hype.

Sonic-themed holiday merchandise is on fire, from quirky sweaters to action figures flying off shelves. Sonic the Hedgehog Christmas outfits for kids are selling out fast, making them a go-to gift option for festive fun.

Retailers have been quick to recognize Sonic’s holiday appeal. Special promotions and exclusive items, like the Sonic holiday t-shirts, are everywhere.

Everyone’s stocking up on Sonic merchandise, from big-box stores to boutique retailers.

Online shopping platforms are seeing a surge in searches for Sonic items. Whether it’s Sonic Christmas-themed tops or Sonic the Hedgehog coloring pages, Sonic the Hedgehog toys or Sonic and the Hedgehog 3, the demand is skyrocketing.

Retailers who tap into this trend are sure to see strong holiday sales.

Sonic has been around since the early 90s, but his popularity never wanes. With the release of Sonic 3, fans are more excited than ever.

sonic the hedgehog 4

Sonic the Hedgehog 4

Meanwhile, Paramount Pictures is preparing “Sonic the Hedgehog 4,” with the newest addition in the family-friendly genre set for a spring 2027 release.

The announcement comes as “Sonic 3” opens in theatres on Friday, estimated to gross $55 million to $60 million from 3,800 North American locations.

The sequel is shaping up to be a good holiday season blockbuster for Paramount, which explains the desire in future “Sonic” adventures. On the international front, the film will be released on Christmas Day in 52 markets.

On Rotten Tomatoes, critics gave “Sonic 3” an outstanding 87% fresh score.

The first two films grossed a total of $725.2 million at the global box office and generated over $180 million in global consumer expenditure through home entertainment rentals and digital purchases.

They also inspired a spinoff Paramount+ series, “Knuckles,” which premiered earlier this year.

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Amazon Strike Called By Teamsters Union 10,000 Walkout

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Amazon Strike Called By Teamsters Union
Teamsters members were demonstrating at "hundreds" of other Amazon locations.

An Amazon strike has hit facilities in the United States in an effort by the Teamsters union to pressure the corporation for a labour agreement during a peak shopping season.

The Teamsters union told the Associated Press that Amazon delivery drivers at seven facilities in the United States walked off the job on Thursday after the firm failed to discuss a labour contract.

According to the union, Amazon employees in Teamsters union jackets were protesting at “hundreds” of additional Amazon facilities, which the union billed as the “largest strike” in US history involving the company.

The corporation, which employs over 800,000 people in its US delivery network, stated that its services will be unaffected.

It was unclear how many people, including members of Germany’s United Services Union, participated in Thursday’s demonstration. The Teamsters union reported that thousands of Amazon employees were implicated in the United States.

Amazon Strike at 10 Locations

Overall, the group claims to represent “nearly 10,000” Amazon strikers, having signed up thousands of people at roughly ten locations across the country, many of whom have joined in recent months.

The organization has claimed recognition from Amazon going on strike, claiming the firm illegally neglected its obligation to bargain collectively over salary and working conditions.

The Teamsters is a long-standing US union with nearly one million members. It is well-known for securing lucrative contracts for its members at companies like delivery behemoth UPS.

Most of the Teamsters’ Amazon campaigns have concerned drivers working for third-party delivery companies that partner with the tech behemoth.

Amazon denies that it is liable as an employer in those circumstances, which is a point of legal contention. In at least one case, labour officials have taken a preliminary stance in favour of the union.

Stalled Contract Negotiations

Amazon employees at a major warehouse on Staten Island in New York have also chosen to join the Teamsters. Their warehouse is the only Amazon facility in the United States where labour officials have formally recognized a union win.

However, the Amazon strike is because contract negotiations have not progressed since the 2022 vote. It was not one of the areas scheduled to go on strike on Thursday.

Amazon, one of the largest employers in the United States, has long received criticism for its working conditions and has been the target of activists seeking to gain traction among its employees.

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Amazon Encounters Numerous Strikes As Unions Aim At The Holiday Shopping Surge.

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(VOR News) – Thousands of Amazon employees at various sites across the country were scheduled to go on strike on Thursday in an effort by the Teamsters union to pressure the retail behemoth to acknowledge its unionised workers in the United States.

The walkout is expected to concentrate on seven Amazon locations across the country during the holiday purchasing surge and may be the most significant union action against Amazon in the nation’s history.

The business announced on Thursday morning that there had been no effect on operations. It also stated that it is “continuing to concentrate on fulfilling customers’ holiday orders.”

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters maintains that it represents more than 10,000 Amazon employees and contractors in aviation centres, warehouses, and delivery centres.

Amazon has refused to acknowledge the union for many years.

The retail giant, which employs approximately 1.5 million individuals, excludes contractors and part-timers. A strike has been initiated by delivery couriers and warehouse employees at seven distinct locations in order to exert pressure on the company to negotiate a collective bargaining agreement that would encompass modifications to compensation, amenities, and working conditions.

Picketing was intended for New York, Atlanta, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Skokie, Illinois.

Also, the Teamsters assert that they are establishing picket lines at “hundreds” of additional warehouses and delivery centres by encouraging non-unionized workers to picket under U.S. labour law, which protects workers’ ability to take collective action to further their interests.

“Amazon workers are exercising their power,” Randy Korgan stated to NPR.

“They now realise there is a pathway to take on a corporate giant like this – and that they hold the power.” Amazon responds by accusing the Teamsters of fabricating information regarding the strikes, asserting that the participants are “entirely” outsiders rather than employees or subcontractors of the corporation.

Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel stated that “the reality is that they were unable to secure sufficient support from our employees and partners and have invited external parties to harass and intimidate our team.” For more than a year, the Teamsters have been intentionally misleading the public by claiming to represent “thousands of employees and drivers.” They do not.

The Teamsters did not provide a specific duration for the strike; however, they informed NPR that it would extend beyond one day. Workers would receive $1,000 per week in strike money, as per the union.

Teamsters President Sean O’Brien issued a statement in which he stated, “If your package is delayed during the holidays, you can attribute it to Amazon’s insatiable greed.” We established a firm deadline for Amazon to attend the meeting and treat our members equitably. They disregarded it.

The Teamsters granted until December 15 to convene with its unionised employees and develop a collective bargaining agreement.

Amazon has opposed all unionisation efforts in court, asserting that unions were not advantageous to its employees and emphasising the compensation and benefits that the organisation currently provides.

Amazon has been accused of discriminatory labour practices on numerous occasions, including the termination of labour organisers. Furthermore, it has disputed its official status as a contract employer.

Teamsters organize Amazon delivery couriers and other employees.

In June, Amazon established its first unionised warehouse in Staten Island, New York, two years after making history by voting to join the fledgling Amazon Labour Union, which is also affiliated with the Teamsters.

The union is one of the most influential in the United States and Canada, with 1.3 million members. On Thursday, the German United Services Union declared that Amazon employees in Germany would participate in a strike in conjunction with their American counterparts.

In the past, Amazon has experienced demonstrations in Germany and Spain that were related to the holiday season in order to advocate for improved wages and working conditions.

“The holiday season has arrived.” Delivery is anticipated. Patricia Campos-Medina, the executive director of Cornell University’s Worker Institute, asserts that “this is the moment in which workers have control over the supply chain.”

The Teamsters have reported that Amazon’s profits have increased both during and after the pandemic. The corporation is currently valued at over $2.3 trillion, with net income of $15 billion in the most recent quarter alone. It is the second-largest private employer in the United States, following Walmart.

SOURCE: NPR

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