eBay Managers Sentenced for Cyberstalking Campaign Against Critics
- Former eBay managers have been charged with cyberstalking critics of the company, highlighting serious allegations against the tech giant.
- The charges were announced by the U.S. Department of Justice, which emphasizes the legal ramifications of corporate misconduct.
- This case raises broader questions about corporate ethics and the lengths to which companies might go to suppress dissent.
In a federal court in Boston, Brian Gilbert, the former Senior Manager of Special Operations for eBay's Global Security Team, was sentenced for his involvement in a cyberstalking campaign against a Massachusetts couple. Gilbert, 56, received a sentence of time served, one year of supervised release with a no-contact order with the victims, and a $20,000 fine. This case is part of a broader investigation that has already seen several eBay executives face penalties for their roles in the harassment. The campaign, described as an "unspeakable" effort to intimidate and silence critics of eBay, involved multiple employees and contractors. Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy emphasized that the culture within eBay allowed for such harassment to occur, leading to the prosecution of several individuals. Notably, Stephanie Popp and Philip Cooke received prison sentences in 2022 and 2021, respectively, while others faced home confinement. The charges against eBay itself will be dismissed only if the company maintains a crime-free record over the next three years and demonstrates compliance with legal standards, as monitored by an independent party. The defendants engaged in various tactics, including sending threatening messages and attempting to mislead law enforcement to protect the company's reputation. As the investigation unfolded, the defendants took steps to delete digital evidence of their actions, further complicating the federal inquiry into their misconduct. The case highlights significant issues regarding corporate culture and accountability within eBay.